Anal Melanoma Incidence Statistics

When you hear the word melanoma, you probably think of skin cancer. In fact, you may not have realized that melanoma could even occur in the anus. That makes sense, since the most common location for melanoma is the skin.

But, the second most common location for melanoma is the eye and the third, is the anus. Anorectal melanoma was first reported in 1857, so even though it isn't a common conversation piece, anal melanoma has been around a while. Let's get the facts about its occurrence rates.

Anal Melanoma Incidence Statistics

• Fewer than 500 cases have been documented in the medical literature since 1857.
  
  
• Melanoma accounts for less than one percent of all tumors of the anal canal.
  
  
• In France, about 25 people are diagnosed each year with malignant melanoma of the anus.

These anal melanoma incidence statistics were derived from multiple studies published in a variety of scientific journals.

_Sources:

1. Balicevic, D. and Tomic, K. "Synchronous Anorectal Melanoma." World Journal of Gastroenterology 12.21 (Jun. 2006): 3453-3455. 21 Aug. 2006 [http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/12/3453.asp].
   
2. Kayhan, B. and Turan, N. "A Rare Entity in the Rectum: Malignant Melanoma." The Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology 14.4 (2003): 273-275. 21 Aug. 2006 [http://www.turkgastro.org/text.php?id=301].
   
3. Kyoung, W. and Hyun, K. "Primary Malignant Melanoma of the Rectum: CT Findings in Eight Patients." Radiology 232 (2004): 181-186. 21 Aug. 2006 [http://radiology.rsnajnls.org/cgi/content/full/232/1/181].
   
4. Harikumar, R. and Varghese, H. "Tumor Where the Sun Never Shines: Rectal Malignant Melanoma." Calicut Medical Journal 2.4 (2004): e5. 21 Aug. 2006 [http://www.calicutmedicaljournal.org/2004/2/4/e5/index.htm].
   
5. Hormaza, J. and Malaver, O. "Melanoma Anal: Reporte de Dos Casos y Revision del Tema." Revista Columbiana de Gastroenterologia 16.4 (Jan. 2002). 21 Aug. 2006 [http://www.encolombia.com/medicina/gastroenterologia/gastro16402caso.htm].
   
6. Malik, A. and Hull, T. "Long-Term Survivor of Anorectal Melanoma." Diseases of the Colon and Rectum 45.10 (Oct. 2002): 1412-1417. SpringerLink. 21 Aug. 2006.
   
7. Ozguroglu, M. and Ozaras, R. "Anorectal Melanoma Metastatic to the Breast." Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology 29.2 (Sep. 1999): 197-199. Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins. 21 Aug. 2006 [http://www.jcge.com/pt/re/jclngastro/abstract.00004836-199909000-00021.htm;jsessionid=GpVJkmrpkwwmQJyTG9sTpr1LFf6bf0pVR6hL1g388X8P6TprQ9h4!-1693609116!-949856145!8091!-1].
   
8. Rodrigues, G. and Annappa, K. "Primary Anal Malignant Melanoma." The Internet Journal of Surgery 4.1 (2003). 21 Aug. 2006 [http://www.ispub.com/ostia/index.php?xmlFilePath=journals/ijs/vol4n1/anal.xml].
   
9. Takahashi, T. and Velasco, L. Anorectal Melanoma: Report of Three Cases with Extended Follow-up. Medscape. 4 Apr. 2004. 21 Aug. 2006 [http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/472616].
   
10. Tsigris, C. and Pikoulis, E. "Malignant Melanoma of the Anorectal Area." Digestive Surgery 17.2 (2000): 194–196. 21 Aug. 2006.