Successful sphincter-saving treatment of anorectal malignant melanoma with electrochemotherapy, local excision and adjuvant brachytherapy

Anticancer Drugs. 2005 Mar;16(3):345-8. doi: 10.1097/00001813-200503000-00015.

Abstract

Anorectal malignant melanoma is a rare tumor and there is no consensus on whether aggressive or local management is more appropriate. Local sphincter-saving excision has been shown to have a higher recurrence rate than abdominoperineal resection, although there is no long-term survival difference between the two approaches. Therefore, new adjuvant treatment strategies to permit local sphincter-saving excisions are warranted. In our case, a large anorectal malignant melanoma was successfully treated preoperatively by electrochemotherapy with cisplatin that, by reducing the tumor size, enabled sphincter-saving local excision. Brachytherapy was postoperatively delivered to the excision site. Fourteen months after the beginning of treatment, the patient is without signs of local recurrence and is continent.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Anus Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Anus Neoplasms / surgery
  • Brachytherapy*
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage*
  • Drug Therapy / methods
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Melanoma / drug therapy*
  • Melanoma / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cisplatin