Late pulmonary metastases from malignant melanoma of the left planta.

We report a patient treated for malignant melanoma of the left planta who developed pulmonary metastases after a disease-free interval of 10 years. Metastatectomy was performed after observing progress for 12 months. However, 18 months later, pretracheal and right axillary lymph node metastases occurred. Because pulmonary metastasis from malignant melanoma may occur after 10 years or more, we observe patients carefully. If it does occur, an operation should be considered under limited indications. We should also recognize that recurrence may occur within a short interval after metastatectomy as well.