title: [Primary melanoma of the rectum: an infrequent neoplasia with an atypical presentation].
abstract: Primary anorectal melanoma is a rare malignancy with an extremely aggressive biological behaviour. The main clinical presentations are local symptoms such as rectal bleeding, anal mass or pain, or a change in bowel habits. The tumour is frequently mistaken for benign conditions as haemorrhoids or rectal polyps. Many treatments can be used: surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and even bio-therapy. Despite this, the disease has a very poor prognosis and 10% of patients survive 5 years.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia, España.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Solaz Moreno
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vallalta Morales
authors.forename: Gerardo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Silla Búrdalo
authors.forename: Juan Ignacio
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Cervera Miguel
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Díaz Beveridge
authors.forename: José Miguel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rayón Martín
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*