Adjuvant interstitial brachytherapy in a case of anorectal melanoma.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: A locally resectable case of anorectal melanoma is reported. In order to prevent local recurrence, interstitial brachytherapy was used. METHOD: A 45 years old emaciated female presented with a 8 x 6 x 6 cm, hard, mobile, intraluminal mass in the anal canal and rectum, biopsy revealed malignant melanoma. As the mass was locally resectable, wide local excision of the tumour was carried out. She was subsequently given interstitial brachytherapy with Caesium--137 implants at tumour bed, not described so far in literature. Six months later her general condition had improved but abdomino-perineal resection was necessitated due to presence of extra-rectal metastasis. RESULTS: Patient is in our follow-up for 36 months now and doing well. CONCLUSION: Supplementation of interstitial brachytherapy after local resection of ano-rectal melanoma may help to prevent local recurrence.