ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinicopathologic factors related with recurrence and prognosis after surgical resection for anorectal melanoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinicopathologic factors related to recurrence and prognosis of 50 patients with anorectal melanoma after surgical resection were retrospectively analyzed using univariate and multivariate methods.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Forty-seven patients underwent radical operation, including 31 abdominoperineal resection (APR) and 16 sphincter preserving operation. The local recurrence rates were 16.1%(5/31) and 68.8%(11/16) respectively. chi(2) analysis revealed that operation pattern was associated with local recurrence rate. The 5-year survival rate was 18.2%. Univariate analysis revealed that single tumor, intramural infiltration and operation pattern were related with prognosis. Multivariate analysis revealed that intramural infiltration was the most important prognostic factor for anorectal melanoma.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The prognosis of anorectal melanoma is poor. Early diagnosis and treatment are important for the improving of curative effect.</p>