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Primary malignant melanoma of the rectum
Author(s) -
NICHOLSON A.G.,
COX P.M.,
MARKS C.G.,
COOK M.G.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
histopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.626
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1365-2559
pISSN - 0309-0167
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2559.1993.tb00116.x
Subject(s) - rectum , melanoma , medicine , presentation (obstetrics) , lesion , pathology , primary (astronomy) , radiology , surgery , cancer research , physics , astronomy
The diagnosis of a primary rectal malignant melanoma has been the subject of considerable argument for many years, principally on the grounds that extension from a primary anal lesion was often impossible to exclude. This paper provides evidence that certain melanomas can be recognized as primary rectal tumours, not only from careful anatomical assessment of the site of the tumour, but also by showing that they arise on a background of benign melanocytic proliferation in the rectal mucosa. The clinical presentation of these lesions, their possible mechanism of origin and their treatment is discussed.