Prolonged survival of a case with three different malignancies - cutaneous malignant melanoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor and thyroid papillary cancer: A case report

Abstract

This case report presents an extraordinary instance of a patient diagnosed with three separate primary malignancies: gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and cutaneous malignant melanoma. The occurrence of such a combination of multiple primary cancers in a single individual is exceptionally rare, and to our knowledge, has not been previously documented in the medical literature. The patient underwent a comprehensive treatment regimen, including surgery and adjuvant imatinib for GIST, thyroidectomy, radioactive iodine therapy for PTC, as well as a combination of systemic and local treatments for metastatic malignant melanoma. Of note, the patient achieved a significantly prolonged survival, particularly in the context of metastatic melanoma, which is generally associated with a poor prognosis. This case underscores the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary and targeted treatment approach in managing complex cases involving multiple malignancies. It also emphasizes the potential benefits of integrating various oncological therapies, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immunotherapy, to achieve favorable outcomes in patients with multiple primary cancers.