Sinonasal Mucosal Melanoma: An Enigma
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32412/pjohns.v26i1.603Keywords:
mucosal melanoma, sinonasal cavityAbstract
Objective: To report two cases of mucosal melanoma of the sinonasal cavity from India and
review the literature emphasizing current important clinical and biologic aspects of this tumor.
Methods:
Design: Case Report
Setting: Tertiary Public Referral Hospital
Patients: Two
Results: Two patients presenting with progressive unilateral nasal obstruction over three to six
months, respectively, were diagnosed to have sinonasal mucosal melanoma. The mass involved
the nasal cavity and maxillary antrum in both patients. The first patient deferred radiotherapy for
four months until pulmonary metastasis became evident, necessitating palliative chemotherapy;
the second patient underwent surgical excision and radiotherapy.
Conclusion: In spite of aggressive therapy, the prognosis for people with mucosal melanoma
is extremely poor. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment, although adjuvant radiation
therapy has recently had an increasing role in the treatment of mucosal melanoma. A clear
understanding of the pathophysiology of this disease may yield more specific immunotherapy
and chemotherapy techniques. A multicenter prospective study is required to objectively assess
the optimal treatment regimen.
Keywords: mucosal melanoma, sinonasal cavity
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