Mucosal melanoma of the head and neck: a retrospective analysis of 34 cases in Japan

Abstract

Purpose

Mucosal melanoma of the head and neck (MMHN) is a rare condition. This study aimed to investigate oncological outcomes of surgical intervention in patients with MMHN.

Materials and methods

The study included 34 patients with MMHN who underwent surgical resection as initial treatment at 10 institutions in Japan between July 2005 and June 2015. Results: The 5-year overall survival (OS), local control rate (LCR), disease-free survival (DFS), and disease-specific survival (DSS) rates were 48.7%, 53.4%, 32.4%, and 55.1%, respectively. Based on multivariate analysis, no independent prognostic factors for the 5-year OS and DSS were found. Based on univariate analysis, the 5-year LCR was worse in patients with lesions in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses than in the oral cavity and pharynx. However, no differences in oncological outcomes were identified in relation to primary sites, and postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) and adjuvant systemic therapy did not contribute to improvements in the 5-year OS.

Conclusions

No independent prognostic factors for the 5-year OS or DSS were identified. Regional or distant recurrences are often identified, regardless of local control with surgical resection. Difficult control of MMHN with conventional therapeutic strategies, such as surgical intervention, PORT, and systemic therapy, has been suggested.

Chinese Abstract

背景

头颈部粘膜黑色素瘤(MMHN)是一种罕见疾病。

目的

该研究旨在调查 MMHN 患者手术干预的肿瘤学结果。

材料和方法

该研究纳入了 34 名在2005 年 7 月至 2015 年 6 月期间于日本 10 家机构接受初步治疗手术切除的 MMHN 患者。

结果

5 年总生存率 (OS)、局部控制率 (LCR)、无病生存率 (DFS) 和疾病特异性生存率 (DSS)分别为 48.7%、53.4%、32.4% 和 55.1%。 基于多变量分析, 没有发现5 年 OS 和 DSS 的独立预后因素。 基于单变量分析, 鼻腔和鼻旁窦病变患者的5 年 LCR比口腔和咽病变患者的更差。 然而, 未发现与原发部位相关的肿瘤学结果存在差异, 术后放疗(PORT)和辅助全身治疗对5 年OS的改进没有帮助。

结论和意义

没有确定5 年 OS 或 DSS的独立预后因素。 尽管通过手术切除进行局部控制, 通常会发现区域性或远处复发。 我们认为传统治疗方法, 比如手术干预、PORT 和全身治疗等, 难以控制 MMHN。

Keywords:

• Mucosal melanoma of the head and neck
• retrospective study
• prognostic factor
• surgical resection

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.