Surgical management of melanoma of the gallbladder: a report of 13 cases and review of the literature

Background Melanoma has the potential to spread to virtually any organ, including the gallbladder. The role of intervention in this rare entity must be based on a thorough appreciation of the underlying disease biology. Methods We present a review of all patients treated for gallbladder melanoma at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) between 1991 and 2003. Results The study group consisted of 13 patients with melanoma metastatic to the gallbladder. The median survival was 12 months following the diagnosis, and only 1 patient survived more than 42 months. Factors associated with improved outcome included symptomatic metastases and metastatic disease confined to the gallbladder (P < .05). Cholecystectomy led to the resolution of right upper quadrant pain in all patients for the duration of their survival. Conclusions In patients with melanoma metastatic to the gallbladder, overall survival is determined more by the biology of the disease than treatment. In the presence of symptoms, cholecystectomy is often effective palliation in carefully selected patients.