ABSTRACT

Anorectal melanoma is a rare, extremely malignant disease with poor prognosis and fatality. The anorectum is the third most common site of occurence for malignant melanoma following skin and eyes however, it is the most common site of the gastrointestinal tract. Surgical treatment of anorectal melanoma is still controversial. Historically, radical resection was considered the “gold standart” for treatment of anorectal melanoma. Recently, anorectal melanoma patients treated by sphincter preserving wide local excision have survival rates similar to abdominoperineal resection. In this article, our goal is to discuss the up-to-date knowledge and surgical treatment options about anorectal melanoma.