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Abstract
Background: Conjunctival malignant melanoma (CMM) is a rare but potentially lethal ocular surface malignancy, especially uncommon in adolescents. It often arises from a precursor lesion known as primary acquired melanosis (PAM) with atypia. We present a case of CMM developing from long-standing PAM in an 18-year-old male, highlighting the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in this unusual demographic.
Case presentation: An 18-year-old male presented with a pigmented conjunctival lesion in his right eye, which had been present for over a decade but had recently shown progressive enlargement and darkening. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy revealed a 5x2 mm, variegated, hyperpigmented lesion on the bulbar conjunctiva with a prominent feeding vessel. The patient underwent an excisional biopsy using a "no-touch" technique with 4 mm margins and adjunctive double freeze-thaw cryotherapy. Histopathological analysis confirmed an invasive malignant melanoma, Breslow thickness of 1.8 mm, arising from PAM with severe atypia. Surgical margins were clear of the tumor.
Conclusion: This case underscores that malignant transformation of conjunctival melanocytic lesions can occur even in young patients. The presence of a changing pigmented lesion, regardless of patient age, necessitates a high index of suspicion and a low threshold for excisional biopsy. Meticulous surgical technique combined with adjuvant therapy and vigilant long-term surveillance is paramount for optimizing patient outcomes.
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