Objectives: Mucosal melanoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is a rare and highly aggressive tumor. We report our experience over 20 years in management of this tumor.
Patients and methods: A retrospective study included 14 patients with primary sinonasal mucosal melanoma.
Results: The series comprised 8 male and 6 female patients, with a median age at diagnosis of 67 years. Staging on the American Joint Committee on Cancer classification of sinus cancer was 14% T2, 22% T3, 75% T4a and 7% T4b. All patients underwent primary surgical treatment; 71% received adjuvant external radiotherapy. Median recurrence-free interval was 28.7 months. Two- and 5-year overall survival was 43% and 32%, respectively. Median follow-up was 43 months.
Conclusions: Mucosal melanomas of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses are very specific entities. Limited pathophysiological knowledge still precludes effective medium- and long-term management. Future treatment will probably be based on global adjuvant or neoadjuvant-targeted chemotherapy.
Keywords: Mucosal melanoma; Nasal cavity; Paranasal sinuses.
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