Biomaterial Database

Mucosal melanomas of the head and neck. 1978

G B Snow, and E P van der Esch, and E A van Slooten

Mucosal melanoma of the head and neck is a rare condition. This study presents a review of 26 patients with such tumors, followed up at a minimum of 5 years. The 5-year survival rate in this group was 38%. Recurrences with a fatal outcome, however, have been encountered up to 12 years after initial diagnosis. Primary radical surgery offers the best chance for local control. Nasal-cavity lesions seem to be associated with a better prognosis than oral-cavity tumors. Analysis of pathologic features by microstage measurement showed that the majority of tumors were of considerable thickness. This factor may partially explain the poor prognosis associated with mucosal melanomas in comparison to their cutaneous counterparts. Local recurrences and distant metastases were the principal causes of treatment failure. A persistent treatment policy, however, may still substantially prolong survival in such cases. Regional lymph-node metastasis did not pose a significant problem in the management of these tumors. Recognition of the nature and significance of the appearance of oral melanosis is stressed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008545	Melanoma	A malignant neoplasm derived from cells that are capable of forming melanin, which may occur in the skin of any part of the body, in the eye, or, rarely, in the mucous membranes of the genitalia, anus, oral cavity, or other sites. It occurs mostly in adults and may originate de novo or from a pigmented nevus or malignant lentigo. Melanomas frequently metastasize widely, and the regional lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and brain are likely to be involved. The incidence of malignant skin melanomas is rising rapidly in all parts of the world. (Stedman, 25th ed; from Rook et al., Textbook of Dermatology, 4th ed, p2445)	Malignant Melanoma,Malignant Melanomas,Melanoma, Malignant,Melanomas,Melanomas, Malignant
D008548	Melanosis	Disorders of increased melanin pigmentation that develop without preceding inflammatory disease.	Chloasma,Freckles,Melanism,Melasma,Chloasmas,Freckle,Melanoses,Melasmas
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D009059	Mouth Diseases	Diseases involving the MOUTH.	Disease, Mouth,Diseases, Mouth,Mouth Disease
D009061	Mouth Mucosa	Lining of the ORAL CAVITY, including mucosa on the GUMS; the PALATE; the LIP; the CHEEK; floor of the mouth; and other structures. The mucosa is generally a nonkeratinized stratified squamous EPITHELIUM covering muscle, bone, or glands but can show varying degree of keratinization at specific locations.	Buccal Mucosa,Oral Mucosa,Mucosa, Mouth,Mucosa, Oral
D009062	Mouth Neoplasms	Tumors or cancer of the MOUTH.	Cancer of Mouth,Mouth Cancer,Oral Cancer,Oral Neoplasms,Cancer of the Mouth,Neoplasms, Mouth,Neoplasms, Oral,Cancer, Mouth,Cancer, Oral,Cancers, Mouth,Cancers, Oral,Mouth Cancers,Mouth Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Mouth,Neoplasm, Oral,Oral Cancers,Oral Neoplasm
D009297	Nasal Mucosa	The mucous lining of the NASAL CAVITY, including lining of the nostril (vestibule) and the OLFACTORY MUCOSA. Nasal mucosa consists of ciliated cells, GOBLET CELLS, brush cells, small granule cells, basal cells (STEM CELLS) and glands containing both mucous and serous cells.	Nasal Epithelium,Schneiderian Membrane,Epithelium, Nasal,Membrane, Schneiderian,Mucosa, Nasal
D009361	Neoplasm Invasiveness	Ability of neoplasms to infiltrate and actively destroy surrounding tissue.	Invasiveness, Neoplasm,Neoplasm Invasion,Invasion, Neoplasm
D009669	Nose Neoplasms	Tumors or cancer of the NOSE.	Cancer of Nose,Nasal Neoplasms,Nose Cancer,Cancer of the Nose,Nasal Cancer,Neoplasms, Nose,Cancer, Nasal,Cancer, Nose,Cancers, Nasal,Cancers, Nose,Nasal Cancers,Nasal Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Nasal,Neoplasm, Nose,Neoplasms, Nasal,Nose Cancers,Nose Neoplasm