Mucosal Malignant Melanomas of the Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinuses: Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes

Nam, Jeoung Kueon; Kim, Sang Yoon; Kim, Yong Jae; Kim, Jae Ho; Lee, Bong Jae

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Malignant melanoma are developed from malignant transformation of the melanocyte. Mucosal malignant melanoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is rare and fatal. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics and the treatment outcome of patients with mucosal malignant melanoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From June 1989 to Dec. 1997, six patients with mucosal malignant melanoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses underwent surgical excision at Asan Medical Center. Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed with regard to age & sex, primary site, treatment modalities, recurrence, and survival.
RESULTS
There were 3 men and 3 women. Their ages ranged from 38 to 55 years with a mean of 51 years. Two patients presented with primary tumors in septum, one in the lateral nasal wall, one in maxillary sinus, one in ethmoid sinus and one with unknown origin. The primary treatment modalities were wide surgical excision of primary site with or without postoperative radiotherapy. Up to the present, recurrence occurred in 4 of the 5 patients and the median time to recurrence was 4.8 months. Two patients died of local or regional disease and the median survival following the recurrence was 6.5 months.
CONCLUSION
Mucosal malignant melanoma of the nose and paranasal sinuses have high recurrence rate and poor prognosis in spite of wide surgical excision and postoperative radiotherapy.