Mucosal Melanoma

Danielle Olla; Michael W Neumeister

doi:10.1016/j.cps.2021.05.010

Mucosal Melanoma

Clin Plast Surg. 2021 Oct;48(4):707-711. doi: 10.1016/j.cps.2021.05.010. Epub 2021 Jul 7.

Authors

Danielle Olla¹, Michael W Neumeister²

Affiliations

¹ Institute for Plastic Surgery, Southern Illinois University, 747 N Rutledge Street #3, Springfield, IL 62702, USA. Electronic address: dolla41@siumed.edu.
² Department of Surgery, The Elvin G Zook Endowed Chair - Institute for Plastic Surgery, Southern Illinois University, 747 N Rutledge Street #3, Springfield, IL 62702, USA.

PMID: 34503731
DOI: 10.1016/j.cps.2021.05.010

Abstract

Mucosal melanoma is a rare but aggressive cancer arising in mucosal surfaces most commonly in the head and neck. The clinical presentation is often nonspecific and differs in relation to the site of origin so often diagnosis is delayed resulting in poor prognosis. Mucosal melanoma has a 5-year survival of only 25%. Surgery with negative margins is the mainstay of treatment but dependent on several variables including anatomic location, involved structures, and size of tumor. Although not well defined given the rarity of mucosal melanoma, there is a role for radiation and systemic therapy in the treatment of this disease.

Keywords: Head and neck mucosal melanoma; Melanoma; Mucosal melanoma.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Head and Neck Neoplasms* / diagnosis
Head and Neck Neoplasms* / surgery
Humans
Melanoma* / diagnosis
Melanoma* / therapy
Mucous Membrane
Prognosis