Solitary neurofibroma of the anal canal - Report of two cases

Neurofibromas are benign nerve sheath tumors commonly found in patients aff licted with neurofibromatosis-1. In the absence of multiple neurofibromas o r a diagnosis of neurofibromatosis-1, neurofibromas are referred to as soli tary and have been reported to involve the skin, subcutaneous tissue, deep soft tissue, and viscera of almost all areas of the body. A neurofibroma in volving the anal canal is a rare entity, with only one report in the litera ture. We present two cases in which large masses involving the anal canal o f elderly females were locally resected and proved to be neurofibromas by h istopathology. Although rare, these tumors should be considered in the diff erential diagnosis of patients presenting with an anal mass, because resect ion alone is the treatment of choice.