Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus

Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus is an extremely rare tumour with a very poor prognosis. The authors report four cases surgically treated, two with partial esophagectomy and intrathoracic esophago-gastrostomy and two with total esophagectomy and cervical esophagogastric anastomosis. Standard lymphadenectomy was performed in all patients. The histologic findings, the results of surgical therapy and the role of adjuvant treatment are discussed and compared to data of the literature.