What question did this study set out to answer?

To present a case of advanced anorectal melanoma and discuss its implications in diagnosis and treatment.

May 10, 2026Open Access

A Rare Encounter: Anorectal Melanoma as a Cause of Rectal Bleeding

Key Points

To present a case of advanced anorectal melanoma and discuss its implications in diagnosis and treatment.
Case report of a 63-year-old male with anorectal melanoma from Sri Lanka.
Patient underwent laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection.
Patient refused adjuvant chemotherapy in favor of Ayurvedic treatment.
The patient presented with per-rectal bleeding and altered bowel habits due to advanced anorectal melanoma.
Surgical resection was performed due to the tumor's advanced stage and location.
The decision to refuse chemotherapy highlights challenges in treatment choice for rare malignancies.

Abstract

Anorectal melanoma is a rare malignancy. It has a poor prognosis due to delayed detection and aggressive tumor biology. In addition, there are no established guidelines for its staging or management, which further complicates the delivery of care. We present a case of an advanced anorectal melanoma in a 63-year-old male from Sri Lanka who presented with per-rectal bleeding and altered bowel habits. He underwent laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection due to the distal site and advanced stage of the tumor and was then scheduled for adjuvant chemotherapy, which he refused in favor of Ayurvedic treatment.

Bookmark

View Full Paper