[The amelanotic melanoma of the rectum]

The amelanotic melanoma of the rectal mucosa is a very rare, difficult to discover tumor. We report on a 65-year-old female patient with an amelanotic melanoma of the rectum who underwent several transanal resections and finally, after an exact histological diagnosis,was treated by abdominoperineal excision. The present case emphasizes the necessity for an obligate histological examination of all suspicious alterations of the anorectum. Even with a very unfavourable prognosis, the amelanotic melanoma of the anorectum should be treated by radical surgical procedures to achieve a significant prolongation of life.