Primary Malignant Melanoma of the Vagina: A Rare Case Report

Primary malignant melanoma of the vagina (PMMV) is an exceptionally rare form of cancer, accounting for only 3% of melanomas in the female genital tract and 0.3%–0.8% of all melanomas in females. Vaginal melanoma is a highly aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis, as evidenced by a 5-year survival rate ranging from 5% to 25%. The high recurrence rates, regional lymph node involvement, and distant metastases contribute to its unfavourable outcomes. The amelanotic form of vaginal melanoma can often be misdiagnosed as other primary vaginal malignancies, which may have better prognoses. Early detection and treatment are crucial for improving survival chances despite the generally poor prognosis. We report a case of 70 year old female presenting with friable mass in vaginal vault which was diagnosed as amelanotic melanoma on biopsy. Key words: Primary malignant melanoma of the vagina, PMMV, malignant melanoma, melanoma