Endoscopic mucosal resection of primary anorectal malignant melanoma: a case report.
Anorectal melanoma is a rare malignant tumor with a poor prognosis. However, several studies have reported cases of long-term survival. In this report, we present a patient with anorectal melanoma who has survived for 9 years after endoscopic mucosal resection. An 85-year-old man was referred to our hospital for further examination and treatment of an anal tumor 2 cm in size. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed that the depth of tumor invasion was confined to the submucosal layer. Endoscopic mucosal resection was performed, and the tumor was diagnosed as a malignant melanoma. The patient was followed without any additional treatment, which was per his wishes. Although melanoma recurred 4 times thereafter, endoscopic mucosal resection was performed for each recurrent lesion. Thus, he has been alive for 9 years since the first endoscopic mucosal resection without distant metastases. If the depth of tumor invasion is shallow, endoscopic mucosal resection is a useful option among other therapeutic modalities.
Tanaka
Shouichi
S
Department of Gastroenterology, Iwakuni Clinical Center, National Hospital Organization, Iwakuni, Yamaguchi 740-0041, Japan. tanaka@iwakuni-nh.go.jp
Ohta
Takeyuki
T
Fujimoto
Tsuyoshi
T
Makino
Yasuhiro
Y
Murakami
Ichiro
I
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012007:Rectum / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation