Malignant melanoma of the soft parts showing calciphylaxis.

Calciphylaxis is a poorly understood and highly morbid syndrome of vascular calcification and skin necrosis. Hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and secondary hyperparathyroidism are the factors implicated in the pathogenesis of calciphylaxis, which is generally identified in patients with hyperparathyroidism secondary to end-stage renal disease. It has also been observed in primary hyperparathyroidism, end-stage liver disease, and rheumatoid arthritis, in the absence of renal disease. There are few case reports of calciphylaxis occurring in hypercalcemia of malignancy. An unusual case is reported of calciphylaxis associated with malignant melanoma of the soft parts in the absence of renal or parathyroid disease. This is the first reported case of this soft tissue sarcoma showing calciphylactic changes.