Adrenal malignant melanoma masquerading as a pheochromocytoma in a patient with a history of a multifocal papillary and medullary thyroid carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: Adrenal masses usually represent benign and nonfunctional adrenal adenomas; however, primary or metastatic malignancy should also be considered. Discovery of an adrenal mass needs further evaluation in order to exclude malignancy and hormonal secretion. We present a rare case of a possibly primary adrenal malignant melanoma with imaging and biochemical features of a pheochromocytoma. CASE REPORT: A 61-year-old male farmer was referred for evaluation of a mass in the right supraclavicular region and a left adrenal lesion. The patient had a history of a multifocal papillary and medullary thyroid carcinoma. Laboratory tests revealed increased 24hour urinary dopamine and also increased serum calcitonin and neuron specific enolase. A pathology report of the resected right supraclavicular mass and left adrenal showed a malignant melanoma. CONCLUSION: This is a case of a possibly primary adrenal malignant melanoma with imaging and biochemical features of a pheochromocytoma. Although this case is very rare and there are rigid diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of primary adrenal melanoma, it underlines the fact that the differential diagnosis of a dopamine secreting adrenal mass should include primary or metastatic malignant melanoma in order to determine the best diagnostic approach for the patient and select the most appropriate surgical management.