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

Odabaşi Bükün,Hülya; Çubukçu,Erdem; Şahi̇n,Ahmet Bi̇lgehan; Adim,Şaduman Balaban

doi:10.3892/ol.2025.15185

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

Authors:
- Hülya Odabaşi Bükün
- Erdem Çubukçu
- Ahmet Bi̇lgehan Şahi̇n
- Şaduman Balaban Adim
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Affiliations: Department of Medical Oncology, Uludag University, Nilüfer, Bursa 16059, Türkiye, Department of Pathology, Uludag University, Nilüfer, Bursa 16059, Türkiye
Published online on: July 14, 2025 https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2025.15185
Article Number: 439
Copyright: © Odabaşi Bükün et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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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.

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