[Malignant melanoma of the nasosinal mucosa. Retrospective study apropos of 20 cases].

Twenty patients were treated for malignant melanoma (MM) of the mucosal surfaces of the nose and sinuses between 1987 and 1999 in our department. The mean age of these patients was 64 years, and there were 11 females and 9 males (sex ratio 1.2). Two patients had a past history of cutaneous or choroidal malignant melanoma, and were considered as having secondary melanoma. All patients presented with nasal obstruction and/or recurrent epistaxis. None of the patients with primary MM had either lymphadenopathy or distant metastases. 17 patients were treated surgically by the transfacial approach, aiming to obtain a cure. Radiotherapy and chemiotherapy were given only to the patients with secondary MM. Six patients have since presented with single or multiple local recurrence, and nine had distant metastases. The 3-year survival rate was 60%. This retrospective study has allowed us to compare the results of our series with these in the literature, and to review the treatment of this rare condition.