Anorectal balloon cell melanoma: a rare variant

Priyanka Sameer; Pallavi Srivastava; Saumya Shukla; Nuzhat Husain

doi:10.4322/acr.2023.459

Clinical Case Report and Review

Anorectal balloon cell melanoma: a rare variant

Priyanka Sameer; Pallavi Srivastava; Saumya Shukla; Nuzhat Husain

http://dx.doi.org/10.4322/acr.2023.459 Autops Case Rep, vol.13, e2023459, 2023

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Abstract

Balloon cell melanoma is a rare presentation of malignant melanoma, usually on the skin, with less than 100 cases reported. Mucosal BCM is even rarer, with only one case of anorectal BCM reported in English literature. The diagnosis is based on the histopathologic findings of a tumor composed of large, foamy melanocytes, with or without pigmentation, and confirmed by immunohistochemical studies showing expression for melanocytic markers. The foam cell appearance of the tumor cells and the lack of melanin pigment lead to a diagnostic dilemma, mostly when presented at an unusual location. Herein, we report a case of balloon cell melanoma at the anorectal junction in a 73-year-old male patient complaining of constipation and bleeding per rectum. Surgical resection was performed with no evidence of recurrence after three years of close follow-up. We believe this case will raise awareness among the medical community to consider this tumor a differential diagnosis in rectal masses.

Keywords

Rectal neoplasms, Immunohistochemistry, Abdomen, Balloon Cell Melanoma

References

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Submitted date:
09/17/2023

Accepted date:
10/20/2023

Publication date:
12/15/2023

Anorectal balloon cell melanoma: a rare variant

Priyanka Sameer; Pallavi Srivastava; Saumya Shukla; Nuzhat Husain

Abstract

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