Unmasking the Hidden Threat: Anorectal Lesion Revealed as Malignant Melanoma in a Resected Rectal Polyp

Melanoma is a malignant neoplasm arising from melanocytes, primarily affecting the skin. Anorectal mucosal melanoma (ARMM) is an exceedingly rare and aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis. We present a case of a middle aged caucasian male patient with a rectal polyp, bleeding, and discomfort durin...

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Main Authors: Padmakar Bardapurkar, Mangesh Londhe, Sushama G. Gurwale, Pranjali Nibe, Prachi Chouhan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2025-05-01
Series:Medical Journal of Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth
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Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/mjdrdypu.mjdrdypu_153_24
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author Padmakar Bardapurkar
Mangesh Londhe
Sushama G. Gurwale
Pranjali Nibe
Prachi Chouhan
author_facet Padmakar Bardapurkar
Mangesh Londhe
Sushama G. Gurwale
Pranjali Nibe
Prachi Chouhan
author_sort Padmakar Bardapurkar
collection DOAJ
description Melanoma is a malignant neoplasm arising from melanocytes, primarily affecting the skin. Anorectal mucosal melanoma (ARMM) is an exceedingly rare and aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis. We present a case of a middle aged caucasian male patient with a rectal polyp, bleeding, and discomfort during defecation. A per rectal examination revealed a protruding mass, leading to a diagnosis of a pedunculated rectal mass. Imaging studies confirmed a large mass along the anal canal. The mass was surgically resected, and histopathological examination revealed neoplastic cells consistent with malignant melanoma. Immunohistochemical marker studies confirmed the diagnosis. ARMM is often misdiagnosed due to its rarity and nonspecific symptoms, leading to delayed diagnosis and poor outcomes. Computed tomography (CT) scans aid in assessing disease extent, while immunohistochemical markers assist in confirming the diagnosis. Wide local excision is the mainstay of treatment, although its impact on prognosis is limited due to the systemic nature of the disease. Lymph node dissection may be necessary in specific cases. Further research is required to enhance understanding and establish standardized management approaches for ARMM.
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2589-8310
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
record_format Article
series Medical Journal of Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth
spelling doaj-art-3aa16bd99c804d6eb87cf7b2881dc3192025-08-20T03:24:47ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsMedical Journal of Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth2589-83022589-83102025-05-0118352953210.4103/mjdrdypu.mjdrdypu_153_24Unmasking the Hidden Threat: Anorectal Lesion Revealed as Malignant Melanoma in a Resected Rectal PolypPadmakar BardapurkarMangesh LondheSushama G. GurwalePranjali NibePrachi ChouhanMelanoma is a malignant neoplasm arising from melanocytes, primarily affecting the skin. Anorectal mucosal melanoma (ARMM) is an exceedingly rare and aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis. We present a case of a middle aged caucasian male patient with a rectal polyp, bleeding, and discomfort during defecation. A per rectal examination revealed a protruding mass, leading to a diagnosis of a pedunculated rectal mass. Imaging studies confirmed a large mass along the anal canal. The mass was surgically resected, and histopathological examination revealed neoplastic cells consistent with malignant melanoma. Immunohistochemical marker studies confirmed the diagnosis. ARMM is often misdiagnosed due to its rarity and nonspecific symptoms, leading to delayed diagnosis and poor outcomes. Computed tomography (CT) scans aid in assessing disease extent, while immunohistochemical markers assist in confirming the diagnosis. Wide local excision is the mainstay of treatment, although its impact on prognosis is limited due to the systemic nature of the disease. Lymph node dissection may be necessary in specific cases. Further research is required to enhance understanding and establish standardized management approaches for ARMM.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/mjdrdypu.mjdrdypu_153_24anorectal melanomaimmunohistochemistrymalignancymalignant melanomarare
spellingShingle Padmakar Bardapurkar
Mangesh Londhe
Sushama G. Gurwale
Pranjali Nibe
Prachi Chouhan
Unmasking the Hidden Threat: Anorectal Lesion Revealed as Malignant Melanoma in a Resected Rectal Polyp
Medical Journal of Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth
anorectal melanoma
immunohistochemistry
malignancy
malignant melanoma
rare
title Unmasking the Hidden Threat: Anorectal Lesion Revealed as Malignant Melanoma in a Resected Rectal Polyp
title_full Unmasking the Hidden Threat: Anorectal Lesion Revealed as Malignant Melanoma in a Resected Rectal Polyp
title_fullStr Unmasking the Hidden Threat: Anorectal Lesion Revealed as Malignant Melanoma in a Resected Rectal Polyp
title_full_unstemmed Unmasking the Hidden Threat: Anorectal Lesion Revealed as Malignant Melanoma in a Resected Rectal Polyp
title_short Unmasking the Hidden Threat: Anorectal Lesion Revealed as Malignant Melanoma in a Resected Rectal Polyp
title_sort unmasking the hidden threat anorectal lesion revealed as malignant melanoma in a resected rectal polyp
topic anorectal melanoma
immunohistochemistry
malignancy
malignant melanoma
rare
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/mjdrdypu.mjdrdypu_153_24
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