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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
08:49
A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
Published on: May 18, 2018
Rectal melanoma--a rare tumour
Y Pirenne1, W Bouckaert, G Vangertruyden
1Department of Abdominal Surgery, Christelijk Algemeen Ziekenhuis Midden Limburg, Campus Salvator, Hasselt, Belgium.
Acta Chirurgica Belgica
|February 27, 2009
Summary
Malignant rectal melanoma is a rare cancer. Early diagnosis is challenging due to non-specific symptoms and potentially misleading histology, necessitating specific protein marker testing for accurate identification.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Malignant rectal melanoma is an exceptionally rare gastrointestinal malignancy.
- Diagnosis can be challenging due to non-specific symptoms and histological ambiguity.
Observation:
- A 66-year-old male presented with rectal bleeding, pain, and tenesmus.
- A rectal tumor above the dentate line was diagnosed as amelanotic malignant melanoma via immunohistochemistry (S100, HMB45, Melan-A).
- Imaging revealed invasion of the internal anal sphincter and perirectal lymph nodes, with no distant metastases detected initially.
Findings:
- Histopathology confirmed amelanotic malignant melanoma.
- Despite successful abdominoperineal resection, the patient developed liver metastases within four months.
- Amelanotic malignant melanoma of the rectum has a poor prognosis with a 5-year survival rate of 10-20%.
Implications:
- Immunohistochemical markers (S100, HMB45, Melan-A) are crucial for diagnosing amelanotic melanoma.
- Surgical management depends on tumor extent, with wide local excision preferred if feasible, and abdominoperineal resection for sphincter invasion.
- Further research into adjuvant therapies like radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy is warranted to improve outcomes for rectal melanoma.
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