Response to intra-arterial cisplatin and concurrent radiotherapy in a patient with primary mucosal malignant melanoma of the nasal cavity

Abstract

Background: The prognosis for patients with mucosal malignant melanoma (MMM) of the nasal cavity is very poor because of the radioresistance of melanoma cells.

Methods: We present the first case report of the efficacy of superselective intra-arterial cisplatin (CDDP) infusion concurrent with hypofractionated radiotherapy (RT) for MMM of the nasal cavity.

Results: A pink, polypoid mass, histopathologically diagnosed as an amelanostic melanoma, occupied the right nasal cavity. After the treatment, a nasal tumor disappeared, leaving only a small bulge in the medial wall of the middle turbinate. Histopathologic examination revealed scattered degenerated melanoma cells, remaining only in the small restricted area in the medial surface of the excised middle turbinate. Twelve months after the treatment, the patient has not experienced any local recurrence or regional and distant metastasis.

Conclusions: The superselective intra-arterial CDDP infusion concurrent with hypofractionated RT might be useful for the management of nasal MMM.