Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Malignant melanoma of the anus

Report of 12 patients and analysis of 255 additional cases

  • Published:
Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Abstract

The authors present a report of 12 patients with anal melanoma (AM) and review 255 cases reported since 1947. Combining these patients with those from the literature, the authors analyze several aspects of AM that are controversial or have not been studied in a systematic manner. The mean clinical tumor size was 4.1 cm. Seventy per cent were grossly pigmented, 63 per cent were polypoid, and 44 per cent were prolapsed. Two-thirds of AM were located in the proximal pecten, at or near the level of the anal valves. Microscopically, the most useful diagnostic criteria were melanin production, junctional change, and a nesting growth pattern. In four of the authors’ cases, atypical junctional change extended laterally from the overt invasive neoplasm for distances up to 1 cm. Approximately 60 per cent of patients had metastases at the time of diagnosis. There was no statistical difference in determinate survivals of patients treated for cure by local excision and abdominoperineal resection. Neither tumor size nor configuration affected survival. The choice of therapy was not influenced by tumor size.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Braastad FW, Dockerty MB, Dixon CF. Melano-epithelioma of the anus and rectum: report of cases and review of literature. Surgery 1949;25:82–90.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Dukes CE, Bussey HJ: Sarcoma and melanoma of the rectum. Br J Cancer 1947;1:30–7.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Imler AE, Underwood JW. Malignant melanoma in the negro: with report of six cases. South Surg 1947;13:61–71.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Raven RW. Anorectal malignant melanoma. Proc R Soc Med 1948;41:469–74.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Behrend M, Behrend A. Melanosarcoma (malignant melanoma) of the rectosigmoid: report of a unique case. Gastroenterology 1949;12:142–5.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Basu AK. Melanoma of the rectum. Indian J Surg 1950;12:68–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Oppenheim A, O’Brien JP. Unusual anal, rectal and perirectal tumors palpable by rectal examination. Am J Surg 1950;79:302–11.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Rosenberg AE. Anorectal malignant melanoma. Am J Surg 1950;79:193.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Hines MO, Riddler JG. Unusual lesions of the rectum and anus. Surgery 1951;29:496–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Rosser C. Melanoma and carcinoid of the rectum. J Fla Med Assoc 1951;38:247–51.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Yaker DN. Malignant melanoma of the rectum. Am J Surg 1951;81:94–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Weston SD, Marren M. Malignant melanoma of the rectum. J Int Coll Surg 1952;17:403–16.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Neale RM, Briggs JD. Melanoma of the rectum. Calif Med 1953;78:311–12.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Delaney LT, Scudamore HH, Waugh JM. Malignant melanoma of the rectum: report of a case. Mayo Clin Proc 1954;29:416–20.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Fitzsimmons EL. Anorectal melanosarcoma arising in a hypertrophied papilla. J Int Coll Surg 1955;23:343–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Alp C. Rare malignant tumors of the rectum: lymphosarcoma and melanoma. J Int Coll Surg 1956;26:83–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Roberts DI. Malignant melanoma of the anal canal. Br Med J 1956;1:903.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Hume AH, Marshall SF. Anorectal malignant melanoma. Lahey Clin Bull 1957;10:174–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Probstein JG. Malignant melanoma of the anorectum: report of a case without recurrence forty-three months following only local excision. Arch Surg 1957;75:253–5.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Venturo RC, Miller H. Malignant melanoma of rectum, prolapsed. Am J Proctol 1957;8:56–62.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Berkley JL. Melanoma of the anal canal: report of a case of five-year survival after abdominoperineal resection. Dis Colon Rectum 1960;3:159–60.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Burns FJ. Melanoma of the rectum: report of a case. Dis Colon Rectum 1960;3:241–2.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Mikal S. Malignant melanoma of the anus and rectum. Am J Surg 1962;103:191–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Singh W, Pathak IC, Singh J. Some rare malignant tumours of the rectum (a report of five cases). Indian J Surg 1962;24:914–20.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Dubra CC, Repetto LM, Celeste F, Monserrat JM. Ano-rectal melanoma: report of three cases. Am J Proctol 1967;18:141–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Nyqvist A, Tillander H. Malignant melanoma of the anal canal: report of two cases. Acta Chir Scand 1969;135:730–2.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Palma F. Malignant melanoma of the anus-rectum. Am J Proctol 1970;21:271–4.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Sinclair DM, Hannah G, McLaughlin IS, Patrick RS, Slavin G, Neville AM. Malignant melanoma of the anal canal. Br J Surg 1970;57:808–11.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Yadoo S, Kessler E. Malignant melanoma presenting as perianal abscess. Am J Proctol 1971;22:108–10.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Rose AG. Malignant melanoma of the anorectum. S Afr J Surg 1972;10:178–80.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Sergeev SI, Smirnova-Stetsenko ES, Golbert SV, Krushchov MM, Simakina EP, Oserskij AN. Melanoma of the rectum. Am J Proctol 1973;24:411–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Hambrick E, Abcarian H, Smith D, Keller F. Malignant melanoma of the rectum in a negro man: report of a case and review of the literature. Dis Colon Rectum 1974;17:360–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Induruwa PA, Sandrasagra FA, Perera M. Malignant melanoma of the anal canal. Ceylon Med J 1974;19:184–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Lichy J. Malignant melanoma of the rectum. Mt Sinai J Med 1974;41:605–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Tennekoon S, Gabriel A. Malignant melanoma of the anal canal. Ceylon Med J 1974;19:179–83.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Balthazar EJ, Javors B. Anorectal melanoma. Am J Gastroenterol 1975;63:79–83.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Remigio PA, Der BK, Forsberg RT. Anorectal melanoma: report of two cases. Dis Colon Rectum 1976;19:350–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Singh W, Madaan TR. Malignant melanoma of the anal canal. Am J Proctol 1976;27:49–55.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Alexander RM, Cone LA. Malignant melanoma of the rectal ampulla: report of a case and review of the literature. Dis Colon Rectum 1977;20:53–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Chulani HL. Anal malignant melanoma: report of a case. Dis Colon Rectum 1977;20:517–20.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Gupta S, Rastogi BL. Metastatic anal melanoma presenting as double intussusception of the small bowel. Am J Proctol 1977;28:49–57.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Quinn D, Selah C. Malignant melanoma of the anus in a negro: report of a case and review of the literature. Dis Colon Rectum 1977;20:627–31.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Garnick M, Lokich JJ. Primary malignant melanoma of the rectum: rationale for conservative surgical management. J Surg Oncol 1978;10:529–31.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Herrera L, Glassman CI. Malignant melanoma of the anorectum. Del Med J 1979;51:323–4.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Quan SH, White JE, Deddish MR. Malignant melanoma of the anorectum. Dis Colon Rectum 1959;2:275–83.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Morson BC, Volkstädt H. Malignant melanoma of the anal canal. J Clin Pathol 1963;16:126–32.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Mason JK, Helwig EB. Ano-rectal melanoma. Cancer 1966;19:39–50.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Klein A. Malignant melanoma of the anus: report of ten cases. Pol Med J 1968;7:1113–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Husa A, Höckerstedt K. Anorectal malignant melanoma: a report of fourteen cases. Acta Chir Scand 1974;140:68–72.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Chiu YS, Unni KK, Beart RW Jr. Malignant melanoma of the anorectum. Dis Colon Rectum 1980;23:122–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Wanebo HJ, Woodruff JM, Farr GH, Quan SH. Anorectal melanoma. Cancer 1981;47:1891–1900.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Cutler SJ, Ederer F. Maximum utilization of the life table method in analyzing survival. J Chron Dis 1958;8:699–712.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Grinvalsky HT, Helwig EB. Carcinoma of the anorectal junction. I. Histological considerations. Cancer 1956;9:480–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Walls EW. Observations on the microscopic anatomy of the human anal canal. Br J Surg 1958;45:504–12.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Fenger C. The anal transitional zone: location and extent. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand [A] 1979;87:379–86.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, University of Virginia Medical Center, Box 214, 22908, Charlottesville, Virginia

    Philip H. Cooper M.D., Stacey E. Mills M.D. & M. Shannon Allen Jr. M.D.

Authors
  1. Philip H. Cooper M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Stacey E. Mills M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Shannon Allen Jr. M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Read in part at the annual meeting of the International Academy of Pathology, Boston, Massachusetts, March 2, 1982.

Dr. Mills is an American Cancer Society Junior Faculty Clinical Fellow.

About this article

Cite this article

Cooper, P.H., Mills, S.E. & Allen, M.S. Malignant melanoma of the anus. Dis Colon Rectum 25, 693–703 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02629543

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02629543

Key words

Search

Navigation