Diffuse anorectal melanoma; review of the current diagnostic and treatment aspects based on a case report

World J Surg Oncol. 2009 Aug 11:7:64. doi: 10.1186/1477-7819-7-64.

Abstract

Primary anorectal melanoma is a rare and aggressive disease. Patients commonly complain for changes in bowel habits and rectal bleeding, and proctoscopically they mostly appear as non pigmented or lightly pigmented polypoid lesions. Such a lesion should always raise a high index of suspicion in any gastroenterologist or surgeon to prompt surgery, since early radical excision is the only treatment option.Herein, we report a case of a 57-year-old man with a diffuse anal canal melanoma and give reference to the current diagnostic and treatment options.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anus Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Anus Neoplasms / pathology
  • Anus Neoplasms / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Melanoma / diagnosis*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Melanoma / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy