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Anorectal balloon cell melanoma: a rare variant
Priyanka Sameer1, Pallavi Srivastava1, Saumya Shukla1
1Institute of Medical Sciences Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, Department of Pathology, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Autopsy & Case Reports
|December 27, 2023
Summary
This report details a rare case of anorectal balloon cell melanoma (BCM), a subtype of malignant melanoma. Early diagnosis and surgical intervention led to a positive outcome with no recurrence after three years.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dermatology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Balloon cell melanoma (BCM) is a rare variant of malignant melanoma, typically presenting on the skin.
- Mucosal BCM is exceptionally rare, with only one prior report of anorectal BCM in English literature.
Observation:
- A 73-year-old male presented with constipation and rectal bleeding, symptoms suggestive of a rectal mass.
- Histopathologic examination revealed a tumor composed of large, foamy melanocytes, characteristic of BCM.
- Immunohistochemical studies confirmed melanocytic differentiation.
Findings:
- The anorectal junction was the site of this rare BCM presentation.
- Surgical resection was successfully performed.
- The patient remained disease-free with no recurrence observed over a three-year follow-up period.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering BCM in the differential diagnosis of anorectal masses, especially given its unusual presentation.
- Increased awareness can aid in earlier and more accurate diagnosis of this rare melanoma subtype.
- Successful surgical management offers a favorable prognosis for anorectal BCM.
