Primary anorectal malignant melanoma treated with endoscopic mucosal resection

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Oncology
• Melanoma Research

Background:

• Anorectal melanoma is a rare malignancy, comprising 1-4% of all anorectal tumors.
• Standard treatment involves radical surgery like abdominoperineal resection or wide local excision.
• This rare cancer presents unique challenges due to its location and histology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of anorectal melanoma treated with a minimally invasive endoscopic approach.
• To evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic mucosal resection combined with adjuvant interferon therapy.
• To highlight an alternative treatment strategy for patients with anorectal melanoma.

Main Methods:

• A case report of a 77-year-old male patient with anorectal melanoma.
• Treatment involved endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR).
• Adjuvant interferon therapy was administered post-resection.

Main Results:

• The patient achieved a 5-year disease-free survival post-treatment.
• Endoscopic mucosal resection proved to be an effective alternative to surgical resection.
• The patient tolerated the treatment well with no reported recurrence.

Conclusions:

• Endoscopic mucosal resection with adjuvant interferon therapy is a viable and effective treatment option for anorectal melanoma.
• Minimally invasive endoscopic techniques may offer a promising alternative for selected patients.
• Further research is warranted to establish the long-term outcomes of this therapeutic strategy.