[Metastases of the melanoma to the intestine].

The cases of 4 patients with primary skin melanoma, who underwent resection of the small intestine due to the intestinal metastases, are presented. Two patients died as a result of metastases after intestinal resection; the other two have been alive for a year and 10 years without any symptoms of the disease. The presence of the melanoma metastases to the intestine can be suspected in patients with anaemia caused by bleeding into the lumen of an intestine, ileus, rapid weight loss or noticeable tumor in the abdomen. The resection of intestine with metastases should be chosen as a safe method, which allows good palliation; it also offers the chance for a longer life.