The surgical treatment of anorectal malignant melanoma

The clinical presentation and surgical treatment of 21 patients with anorectal melanoma over a 44 year period have been analysed. During the first 24 years of this period total rectal excision was regarded as the treatment of choice and since then wide local excision. Two groups of patients emerge for comparison of the results of surgical treatment. There were no long-term survivors in either group and little difference between survival rates after either procedure. It was concluded that the change from radical to conservative surgery for anorectal melanoma has made no difference in terms of survival and the possible advantages of this change have been discussed.