[Melanoma of the anorectum]

The therapy of choice in cases with the prognostically poor (mean 5-year-survival rate maximal 12%) and rare anorectal melanoma is the surgical removal. Primary local excision should be done if technically feasible. On the basis of an exact pathohistological examination with special respect to tumor thickness a radical exstirpation or resection should be performed in cases with lesions more than 2 mm thick. In patients with tumors less than 2 mm a clinically and endoscopically follow-up in short intervals (3 months) after local excision can be recommended. At present, no effective radiotherapy nor systemic treatment exist.