Malignant melanoma metastatic to bone marrow

Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy is a useful means of detecting systemic involvement in patients with non haematological malignancy. Metastases of malignant melanoma may be detected in the bone marrow in a small percentage of patients. Two cases of malignant melanoma, with metastasis to marrow at the time of presentation, are described. In one case, bone marrow was the first site where the malignancy was identified. Subsequent investigations revealed an anal melanoma. In the second case, the patient had widespread dissemination from a tonsillar melanoma to many organs of the body, including bone marrow.