Anorectal Malignant Melanoma: Retrospective Analysis of Six Patients and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Malignant melanomas are rare aggressive tumours originating from the pigment-producing melanocytes. In our study, a review of the literature and a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing surgery at our clinic due to anorectal malignant melanoma were performed. The information of 6 patients undergoing surgery in our clinic due to anorectal malignant melanoma between January 2010 and January 2018 was retrieved retrospectively. The patients were assessed regarding demographic data, physical examination and imaging findings, the surgical method performed, postoperative complication, histopathological findings, oncological treatment and follow-up results. Four of the patients were female and 2 were male and the mean age was 61.6 (46–83) years. Two patients (33%) had liver metastases at the time of initial presentation. Abdominoperineal resection (APR) was performed in all patients 3 with laparoscopic method. The mean length of hospital stay was recorded to be 6.5 ± 1 days (5–12 days). Adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy were administered in all patients. Also, interferon treatment was administered in one patient additionally. During the follow-up, 4 patients died due to extensive metastatic disease determined approximately in the 13th month. Two patients with regular follow-up are well and free of disease and their mean postoperative lifetime has been determined to be 12.5 months (6–26 months). Anorectal malignant melanomas (ARMM) are rare but aggressive tumours. The treatment should be focused on minimizing morbidity and maximizing the quality of life and function while removing the gross tumour.