Primary anorectal malignant melanoma: an uncommon anorectal pathology

Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2016 Sep;108(9):604-5. doi: 10.17235/reed.2016.4347/2016.

Abstract

Anorectal malignant melanoma (AMM) is most common primary melanoma of gastrointestinal tract, accounting for 0.05% and 1% of all colorectal and anal cancers. We reported an 85 year-old woman with no significant past medical history who presented two-month period of rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, tenesmus and 2kg weight-loss. Laboratory markers were unremarkable, although rectal examination revealed two small haemorrhoids and a firm, non-obstructing mass in the lower rectum. Colonoscopy confirmed presence of an ulcerated pigmented neoplasm arising at dental line [A,B]. No distant metastases were found on computed tomography [C] although presented metastatic regional lymph nodes on pelvic MRI [D]. Therefore, abdominoperineal resection was performed, confirming loco-regional disease. Histopathology showed malignant melanoma with positive stains in immunohistochemistry for protein S100, HMB-45 and Melan-A [E,F,G,H] and stained negative for c-Kit.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anus Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Anus Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Anus Neoplasms / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / diagnosis
  • Melanoma / pathology*
  • Melanoma, Cutaneous Malignant
  • Rectal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Rectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Rectal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*