Amelanocytic anorectal malignant melanoma—Case report

INTRODUCTION: Anorectal malignant melanoma (AMM), is a rare and aggressive form of melanoma. Accounts for <2% of melanomas, and <2% of anal tumors. It is more frequent at the 6(th)–7(th) decade, mostly in women. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment, but the extent is controversial. CASE PRESENTATION: 82-year-old male, presented with rectal mass in the Emergency Room (ER). After local excision, pathology observed that the mass corresponded to AMM. Despite being stage I (Local disease), a year later it presented with local recurrence and distant metastasis. The patient died 32 months after diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: There is no optimal treatment, due to the lack of prospective studies. Wide local excision (WLE) has faster recovery, less post-operatory complications and similar survival rate compared to abdominal perineal resection (APR).