Adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation for malignant metastatic melanoma to the liver.

BACKGROUND Metastases from malignant melanoma to the liver are rare in China, and surgical resection may be of potential benefit. Liver transplantation for this disease has never been reported. METHODS We report a case of adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (A-A LDLT) for metastatic melanoma. With a surgical history of ocular melanoma, the recipient presented with emaciation from a large right hepatic mass which also probably had portal vein invasion. A-A LDLT was successfully performed and no postoperative complications were observed in either the donor or the recipient. Postoperative pathology confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic malignant melanoma; however no adjuvant chemotherapy was employed after transplantation. We also reviewed the literature on the surgical treatment of metastatic malignant melanoma to the liver and discussed the LDLT indications. RESULT Recurrence occurred 6 months after surgery and the patient died from recurrence of the disease 8 months post-transplant. CONCLUSIONS Review of the literature suggested that only a small subset of selected patients may benefit from liver resection. Large metastatic disease in the liver potentially involving a major vessel, as in this case, should be contraindicated for liver transplantation.