Mucosal melanoma of the head and neck: predictors of prognosis.

OBJECTIVES

To identify significant clinical and pathological predictors of survival in mucosal melanoma of the head and neck.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series. We reviewed cases of mucosal melanoma of the head and neck from a prospectively collected database after institutional review board approval.

SETTING

A single academic institution.

PATIENTS: Fifty-two patients with mucosal melanoma of the head and neck.

RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 97 months, the median overall survival was 52 months, with a 5-year overall survival of 38%. The median disease-free survival was 15 months, with a 5-year disease-free survival of 22%. Younger age (P = .02), lower T status (P = .003), and lower American Joint Committee on Cancer stage (P < .001) were associated with better overall survival. Positive surgical margins predicted poorer overall survival (P = .01), but patients who required reexcision to achieve negative margins had outcomes that were not significantly different from those with initially negative surgical margins (P = .71). Sex, smoking history, and primary site did not affect disease-free or overall survival. Adjuvant radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy did not predict improved outcomes. Fewer mitoses (P = .02) and the absence of ulceration (P = .01) predicted improved overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experience confirms the utility of current staging systems in predicting outcomes of mucosal melanoma of the head and neck and stresses the importance of achieving negative surgical margins. Pathologically, fewer mitoses and the absence of ulceration predict better outcomes and should be reported as part of routine histological profiles of mucosal melanoma. Further studies are necessary to change the paradigm of care for this rare and deadly disease.