Mucosal melanomas: a case-based review of the literature

Exosomes in melanoma: Future potential for clinical theranostics

Melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer, presents significant therapeutic challenges due to its resistance to conventional treatments and propensity for metastasis. Exosomes, nanoscale vesicles secreted by a wide variety of cells, have emerged as promising tools for developing novel melanoma therapies. Exosome-based therapeutic approaches offer several advantages, including inherent biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, and the ability to cross biological barriers. This review explores the therapeutic potential of exosomes in melanoma treatment, focusing on their multifaceted roles in modulating tumor cell behavior, enhancing anti-tumor immune responses, and serving as targeted drug delivery vehicles. We discuss various strategies employed to engineer exosomes for enhanced therapeutic efficacy, including loading them with chemotherapeutic agents, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and immunomodulatory molecules. Additionally, we highlight the potential of exosomes derived from diverse sources to enhance anti-cancer effects. Furthermore, we address the challenges and future directions in translating exosome-based therapies from bench to bedside, emphasizing the need for standardized isolation and manufacturing protocols, as well as rigorous preclinical and clinical evaluations to unlock the full therapeutic potential of exosomes in the fight against melanoma.

Primary Sinonasal Mucosal Melanoma: A Narrative Review

Mucosal melanomas (MMs) are under-researched tumors with a poor prognosis that arise from melanocytes found in the mucous membranes at different anatomical locations throughout the body. MMs are an uncommon yet highly aggressive tumor that typically develops on mucosal surfaces, predominantly in the head and neck region. MM of the head and neck occurs in 8-10% of all head and neck melanomas. It most commonly affects the mucosa of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses (75%), followed by the oral cavity mucosa (25%). A family history and the presence of mucosal nevi are associated with the occurrence of MM. Inhaled and dietary carcinogens are also linked to the development of sinonasal melanoma, much like other malignancies of the nasal cavity. Overexpression of the C-KIT gene is found in more than 80% of all primary mucosal melanomas, with somatic mutations in 10-30% of cases. The presence of these genetic alterations is also reflected in recent clinical studies of specific gene inhibitors that have proven efficiency in the systemic therapy of melanoma. There are various treatment modalities for MM. Surgical therapy involves en bloc surgical resection with a macroscopically visible and palpable mucosal margin of 1.5-2 cm. Partial resection of the maxilla may be considered if it ensures adequate tumor-free margine. Because of its rarity, outcome data for locally advanced head and neck MM is limited and primarily derived from retrospective studies with small case numbers. This review aims to update and summarize findings from clinical trials, prospective observational studies, and retrospective studies, while also exploring future directions for multimodal treatment approaches in this area.

Effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors and other treatment modalities in patients with advanced mucosal melanomas: a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis

Background

Mucosal melanomas (MM) are an aggressive subtype of melanoma. Given the rarity of this disease, the conduct of clinical trials is challenging and has been limited. Current treatment options have been extrapolated from the more common cutaneous melanoma even though MM is distinct in pathogenesis, etiology and prognosis. This is the first meta-analysis to comprehensively assess the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-PD1 and anti-CTLA4) and other treatment modalities (targeted therapy such as KIT inhibitors and VEGF inhibitors, as well as radiotherapy) on survival outcomes in MM to develop clinical guidelines for evidence-based management.

Methods

The protocol was prospectively registered on PROSPERO (PROSPERO ID: CRD42023411195). PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched from inception until 25 July 2024, for all cohort and observational studies. Eligible studies included those with five or more participants with locally advanced or metastatic MM treated with anti-PD1, anti-CTLA4, VEGF inhibitors and/or KIT inhibitors. Titles and abstracts of potential articles were screened and full texts of all potentially eligible studies were retrieved and reviewed by two independent reviewers. Individual patient data (IPD) from published Kaplan-Meier curves were reconstructed using a graphical reconstruction method and pooled as a one-stage meta-analysis. A sensitivity analysis using a two-stage meta-analysis approach was conducted. Extracted outcomes included overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). For each treatment arm, median survival time and 12-month survival proportion were estimated. Data from double-arm trials was pooled to estimate hazard ratios (HRs), ratios of restricted mean time lost (RMTL) and restricted mean survival time (RMST).

Findings

From a total of 7402 studies, 35 eligible studies comprising a total of 2833 participants were included. Combined anti-PD1 and anti-CTLA4 therapy had the highest 12-month OS and 12-month PFS at 71.8% (95% CI: 67.6%, 76.2%, n = 476) and 35.1% (95% CI: 30.5%, 40.4%, n = 401) respectively, followed by anti-PD1 therapy alone (OS: 64.0% (95% CI: 61.4%, 66.7%, n = 1399); PFS: was 28.3% (95% CI: 25.8%, 31.2%, n = 1142), anti-PD1 and VEGF inhibitor combination therapy (OS: 57.1% (95% CI: 51.0%, 63.9%)), KIT inhibitors (OS: 48.2% (95% CI: 37.6%, 61.8%); PFS: 8.3% (95% CI: 3.7%, 18.7%)) and anti-CTLA4 therapy alone (OS: 33.3% (95% CI: 28.4%, 39.1%); PFS: 9.8% (95% CI: 5.9%, 16.5%)). In the double-arm studies, combination therapy with anti-PD1 and anti-CTLA4 had similar OS and PFS with anti-PD1 alone (OS: HR 0.856 (95% CI: 0.704, 1.04); RMTL ratio 0.932 (95% CI: 0.832, 1.044, P = 0.225); RMST ratio 1.102 (95% CI: 0.948, 1.281, P = 0.204); PFS: HR 0.919 (95% CI: 0.788, 1.07); RMTL ratio 0.936 (95% CI: 0.866, 1.013, P = 0.100); RMST ratio 1.21 (95% CI: 0.979, 1.496, P = 0.078)), however, anti-PD1 therapy alone had significantly better PFS than anti-CTLA4 alone (HR 0.548 (95% CI: 0.376, 0.799); RMTL ratio 0.715 (95% CI: 0.606, 0.844, P < 0.001); RMST ratio 1.659 (95% CI: 1.316, 2.092, P < 0.001)). Anti-PD1 therapy with radiotherapy versus anti-PD1 alone showed no significant difference (OS: HR 0.854 (95% CI: 0.567, 1.29); RMTL ratio 0.855 (95% CI: 0.675, 1.083, P = 0.193); RMST ratio 1.194 (95% CI: 0.928, 1.536, P = 0.168; PFS: HR 0.994 (95% CI: 0.710, 1.39); RMTL ratio 1.006 (95% CI: 0.87, 1.162, P = 0.939); RMST ratio 0.984 (95% CI: 0.658, 1.472, P = 0.939)).

Interpretation

For the systemic treatment of MM, anti-PD1 is the best monotherapy. While combining anti-PD1 with other treatment options such as anti-CTLA4, VEGF inhibitors or radiotherapy might achieve better outcomes, these improvements did not reach statistical significance when evaluated by HR, RMTL and RMST ratios.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Medical Research Council Transition Award (TA20nov-0020), SingHealth Duke-NUS Oncology Academic Clinical Programme (08/FY2020/EX/67-A143 and 08/FY2021/EX/17-A47), the Khoo Pilot Collaborative Award (Duke-NUS-KP(Coll)/2022/0020A), the National Medical Research Council Clinician Scientist-Individual Research Grant-New Investigator Grant (CNIGnov-0025), the Terry Fox Grant (I1056) and the Khoo Bridge Funding Award (Duke-NUS-KBrFA/2024/0083I).

Pediatric conjunctival melanoma: A comprehensive case report and literature review

Purpose

This case report aims to present a rare instance of conjunctival melanoma in a 5-year-old patient and contribute to the limited body of knowledge on pediatric conjunctival melanoma. The purpose is to understand the characteristics, diagnosis, and management of this uncommon malignancy in young individuals.

Observations

The case describes a 5-year-old female with a progressively growing pigmented conjunctival lesion. The lesion was observed to be located on the temporal conjunctiva of the right eye and displayed distinctive features, including feeder vessels. Imaging revealed specific dimensions of the lesion and ruled out deeper invasions. Histopathological examination revealed architectural and cytologic atypia, positive immunohistochemical staining for HMB-45, and a Ki67 proliferation index of 20 %, confirming the diagnosis of conjunctival melanoma.

Conclusions

Conjunctival melanoma, an uncommon malignancy even more so in pediatric patients, typically presents with pigmented growths and feeder vessels. This case underscores the need for thorough diagnosis and early intervention, as conjunctival melanoma can lead to devastating outcomes. The rarity of such cases limits our understanding of their etiology and progression. This case contributes to the literature on pediatric conjunctival melanoma and reinforces the importance of vigilance in detecting and managing ocular pigmented lesions in children.

Clinical Characteristics and Special Considerations in the Management of Rare Melanoma Subtypes

Rare histologic subtypes of melanoma, including acral, mucosal, uveal, and desmoplastic melanomas, only make up 5% of all diagnosed melanomas and are often underrepresented in large, randomized trials. Recent advancements in systemic therapy have shown marked improvement in pathologic response rates, improving progression-free and overall survival among cutaneous melanoma patients, but there are limited data to demonstrate improved survival among rarer subtypes of melanoma. Acral melanoma has a poor response to immunotherapy and is associated with worse survival. Mucosal melanoma has a large variability in its presentation, a poor prognosis, and a low mutational burden. Uveal melanoma is associated with a high rate of liver metastasis; recent adoption of infusion and perfusion therapies has demonstrated improved survival among these patients. Desmoplastic melanoma, a high-risk cutaneous melanoma, is associated with high locoregional recurrence rates and mutational burden, suggesting this melanoma may have enhanced response to immunotherapy. While these variants of melanoma represent distinct disease entities, this review highlights the clinicopathologic characteristics and treatment recommendations for each of these rare melanomas and highlights the utility of modern therapies for each of them.

Survival and Treatment Modalities in Primary Vaginal Melanoma-Case Report and a Narrative Review

Background/Objectives: Primary vaginal melanoma (PVM) is a rare cancer representing five percent of vaginal cancers and less than one percent of all female vaginal melanomas, with an incidence rate of 0.46 per million women per year. The aim of this study was to present a case of combined therapy and conservative surgical treatment in a young patient with PVM and to perform a systematic review of the same subject. Methods: We performed a narrative review of the literature and presented a case report. Results: The review yielded a total of 43 articles. We presented treatment modalities and survival outcomes. The presented case involved a combination of surgical treatment with adjuvant therapy comprising nivolumab and ipilimumab. Conclusions: PVM is a disease with a poor prognosis; however, new treatment options are promising and have a great chance of significantly improving survival. The combination of the wide local excision of the primary lesion followed by adjuvant therapies results in the best outcomes in the treatment of PVM. Future clinical studies are warranted to provide new evidence for the treatment outcomes of nonsurgical, metastatic PVM and the adjuvant treatment of PVM.

Primary Intranasal Melanotic Mucosal Melanoma - A Case Report and Literature Review

Background

Intranasal mucosal melanoma is a rare form of melanoma. Presenting as the features of occult malignancy and rapid in its progression. Presented with nonspecific symptoms. So far, no specific risk factor has been identified. The histopathological and immunohistochemical examination helps to confirm the diagnosis. Here, we present a case of primary intranasal melanotic mucosal melanoma and literature review.

Case Report

The authors present a patient with primary right intranasal melanotic mucosal melanoma.

Conclusion

An endoscopic medial maxillectomy was done, and the patient was linked to the oncology department for radiotherapy.

Head and Neck Mucosal Melanoma: Where Are We Now?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To highlight recent and relevant treatment considerations while managing mucosal melanoma.

RECENT FINDINGS

Evidence is building to support the use of targeted therapy and immunotherapy while managing mucosal melanoma. Surgical resection with postoperative radiotherapy plays a major role in managing resectable disease. Recent studies evaluate the addition of targeted, and immunotherapies with an attempt to determine the most efficacious sequence of treatment.

A nuanced exploration delving into malignant melanomas occurring in unexpected and less common anatomical locations

Malignant melanoma originates from melanoma cells, which derive from the neuroectoderm of the ectodermal mucosa. The chameleonic presentation of malignant melanoma, its often asymptomatic nature, the rarity of the lesion, the grim prognosis, and the imperative for highly specialized treatment are critical factors that merit careful consideration. Herein, we report a compilation of five cases of malignant melanomas occurring at unusual anatomical locations, which were initially misdiagnosed, which on careful analysis with the use of immuno-histochemical stains were correctly diagnosed as malignant melanoma.

Mucosal Melanoma Clinical Management and Prognostic Implications: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Mucosal melanoma (MM) is an uncommon melanoma subtype affecting mucosal surfaces of the head and neck, anorectal region, and vulvovaginal area. We aimed to present our experience at a tertiary-level hospital regarding MM diagnosis, management, monitoring of progression, mutations, and outcome predictors. We performed a registry-based cohort study including MM cases diagnosed from 2012 to 2022 and retrospectively characterized somatic mutations on BRAF, NRAS and c-KIT. We employed Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank tests, and Cox regression analysis to explore prognostic factors and survival outcomes in a cohort of 35 patients, mainly women (63%) with a median age of 70 years. Predominantly, MM occurred in the vulvovaginal region (48.6%). At diagnosis, 28.6% had lymph node involvement, and 31.4% also had distant metastasis. Mutations in BRAF and c-KIT were identified in 3/35 (9%) and 2/6 patients (33%), respectively. Surgery was performed in 71.4% of patients, and most received systemic treatment (65.7%). Lower disease stage, thinner Breslow depth, and surgical resection were associated with improved overall survival. Notably, age, sex, radiotherapy, and BRAF mutant status did not affect survival. Standard management typically involves immunotherapy. Cases with BRAF or c-KIT mutations may be considered for targeted therapies. Unfortunately, MM prognosis remains unfavorable, with a less than 50% survival rate at 2 years.

[Diagnosis and therapy of sinonasal mucosal melanoma]

Sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SNMM) is a rare and aggressive disease representing only 4% of all sinonasal malignancies and 1.4% of all melanomas. With an incidence of approximately 0.2 to 2 cases per million, the disease represents a very rare cancer type. As a result, there is a lack of data and most of the evidence for this highly aggressive disease is based on retrospective observations and analyses. The standard of care is radical tumor resection followed by an adjuvant radiotherapy. Nevertheless, the rate of local recurrence is high, up to 50%. In addition, the majority of patients (up to 70%) develop distant metastases during the course of their disease. Both contribute to the extremely poor prognosis of the disease. Mucosal melanomas (SM) and cutaneous melanomas (CM) behave differently with respect to biology, clinic presentation and prognosis. Compared to CM, survival rates are significantly lower for SM. The 5-year survival rate is around 25% in SNMM but 39-97% in cutaneous melanoma. Similar to CM, immune checkpoint inhibitors achieve promising results in SM. However, response rates are lower in SM compared to CM. The goal of this CME article is to provide an overview on biology, diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis of SNMM.

Mucosal Malignant Melanoma of Head and Neck: A Case Series from a Single Institute and Review of Literature Abstract

Malignant melanoma is an aggressive malignancy of melanocytes which is usually found on sun exposed areas of the body. A rare variant of this disease with no etiological association is the mucosal malignant melanoma found on all mucosal surfaces of the body including the oral cavity, respiratory mucosa and anorectal region. In the head and neck region, this disease is almost always diagnosed at an advanced stage and requires a very high index of suspicion for diagnosis. It is more commonly found in females than males.Indians are more prone to this disease as compared to Caucasians.Due to the obscure location within the oral and nasal cavity, it is clinically found at an advanced stage and requires surgical resection with adequate margins for complete eradication. This may be achieved either endoscopically in the nasal cavity or with wide local resection in the oral cavity. this in certain cases may not be feasible due to vicinity of vital structures. In such cases, adjuvant radiotherapy helps in the local control of disease. Histopathological evaluation of the specimen helps to determine aggressive biology of tumor with factors such as presence of ulceration, nodular morphology and perineural invasion being high risk features for development of local and regional recurrence.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-023-04001-y.

[Primary melanoma of female urethra: A case diagnosed in Ouagadougou]

We report a case of primary melanoma of a female urethra diagnosed at a non-metastatic stage in a 48-year-old patient with a history of breast carcinoma treated with radiotherapy and hormone therapy. The patient was consulting for dysuria, hematuria, and perineal pain. The clinical examination found a prolapsed and black mass, developed at the expense of the urethra and located at the anterosuperior part of the vulva. The mass biopsy revealed a proliferation of fusiform and globular cells loaded with black pigment expressing the anti-HMB 45 and PS 100 antibodies. The extension assessment showed an absence of secondary localization. The patient underwent total cystourethrectomy without inguinal lymphadenectomy. There was no recurrence observed on day 100 following the surgery.

Mucosal Melanoma: Epidemiology, Clinical Features, and Treatment

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Summarize the writings published in the last years on the management and novel therapies of mucosal melanoma (MM).

RECENT FINDINGS

New research has demonstrated a difference between MM and cutaneous melanoma (CM) in their genomic and molecular landscapes, explaining the response's heterogeneity. Immunotherapy and targeted therapy have limited benefit, but novel therapies are rapidly expanding. MM is aggressive cancer occurring in gastrointestinal, respiratory, or urogenital mucosa; whose incidence is greater in the Asian population. The etiology and pathogenesis remain unclear since UV exposure is not a proven risk factor as in cutaneous melanoma. In contrast to CM, lesions on the mucosal surface are less likely to be recognized early; therefore, the disease is diagnosed in an advanced stage. Clinical manifestations, such as bleeding or pain, can help to detect this tumor, although the prognosis remains unfavorable with an overall 5-year survival rate of less than 20%. The mutational landscape of MM includes mutations of BRAF and NRAS, as well as mutations in the c-KIT/CD117 gene (in 50% of patients), thus limiting therapeutic interventions to immunotherapy. However, clinical studies show less responsiveness to immunotherapy compared to CM, therefore novel therapeutic strategies targeting new molecules are needed to improve the survival of patients with MM.

Thin on the ground: Primary mucosal melanoma of the nasal cavity

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Primary malignant melanoma of the head and neck region is an exceptionally unique neoplasm that accounts for 1 % of all mucosal melanomas diagnosed worldwide. Most patients are either symptomless or have vague symptoms.

CASE PRESENTATION

In this report, we describe the case of a young female, who presented at a tertiary care institute in Pakistan, with a history of recurrent ipsilateral mucosal neoplasm arising in the nasal cavity. The patient was treated with surgical resection twice and was subsequently found to have widespread metastatic lymph nodes on workup.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Malignant mucosal melanoma seldom originates from the nasal cavity. Surgical resection is the best chance of cure for localized nasal melanomas whereas for metastatic disease, systemic therapy with either chemotherapy or biologic agents is the mainstay of management.

CONCLUSION

Approximately 5 % of the cases of mucosal melanoma have metastatic disease at presentation. This report highlights the presentation, clinical characteristics, management, and prognosis of non-cutaneous melanoma, arising within the head and neck region.

Multimodal treatment and immune checkpoint inhibition in sinonasal mucosal melanoma: real-world data of a retrospective, single-center study

PURPOSE

Local failure and distant metastases occur frequently in sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SNMM). Response rates to chemotherapy are low and targetable mutations are rarely detected. However, there is increasing data indicating efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI). The aim of this retrospective monocenter study was to assess the mutational landscape and to evaluate the outcome of surgical treatment and ICI in SNMM in a real-world setting.

METHODS

Thirty-eight SNMM patients being treated between 1999 and 2020 at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. Survival curves were generated according to Kaplan-Meier and compared by the log-rank test.

RESULTS

Local failure was seen in 60% of patients treated in a curative intent. Overall, 24% of all patients suffered from regional and 66% from distant metastases. Next generation sequencing revealed mutations of BRAF, NRAS and KRAS. One out of three patients treated with a primary ICI showed a complete response (CR) and two showed progressive disease. Eleven patients received ICI as a palliative treatment. CR could be observed in three patients and stable disease in one patient. In the whole study population, the 5-year overall survival rate (OS) was 26%. OS was better for patients who received ICI during the course of disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Recurrences and distant metastases are frequent in SNMM. Durable CR could be observed after primary and palliative ICI. Therefore, ICI in a palliative, adjuvant or even neoadjuvant setting might play a promising role in SNMM therapy while targetable mutations are rarely detected.

Primary Malignant Melanoma of the Oral Cavity: A Retrospective Study From a Tertiary Care Centre of North India

BACKGROUND

Mucosal melanoma is a rare but aggressive tumor associated with a poor prognosis arising from pigmented cells called melanocytes. They are usually asymptomatic and present in an advanced stage. It has an aggressive clinical outcome and is proven to be of poor prognosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective review of the computer database and clinical records at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, India. The data between 2018-2022 were reviewed for all small biopsy or excision specimen-proven cases of oral mucosal melanoma.

RESULTS

The most common site of involvement in the head and neck region is the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. In this retrospective study from our institute, all three cases presented involved oral cavities. The median age of presentation was 51 years. Some literature specifies male preponderance. Our patients presented clinically with a black nodule in the oral cavity, which was increasing in size and associated with bleeding. A biopsy performed confirmed the diagnosis of melanoma based on the morphology and immunohistochemical profile of the tumor cells.

CONCLUSION

Surgical resection is the mainstay treatment, followed by radiation postoperatively to reduce local and regional recurrence. Mucosal melanoma has a poor prognosis, and the majority of patients develop incurable metastatic disease.

Sinonasal mucosal melanoma presenting as a maxillary sinus mass: A case report

Maxillary sinus melanoma is a rare mucosal melanoma difficult to diagnose in the absence of pigmentation. Intranasal masses presenting with the features of occult malignancy and rapid progression should always be investigated in the line of melanoma irrespective of pigmentation. The histopathological and immunohistochemical examination helps to confirm the diagnosis.

Nasal and paranasal sinus mucosal melanoma: Long-term survival outcomes and prognostic factors

OBJECTIVE

To determine prognostic factors and survival patterns for different treatment modalities for nasal cavity (NC) and paranasal sinus (PS) mucosal melanoma (MM).

METHODS

Patients from 1973 to 2013 were analyzed using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Kaplan-Meier method and multivariable cox proportional hazard modeling were used for survival analyses.

RESULTS

Of 928 cases of mucosal melanoma (NC = 632, PS = 302), increasing age (Hazard Ratio [HR]:1.05/year, p < 0.001), T4 tumors (HR: 1.81, p = 0.02), N1 status (HR: 6.61, p < 0.001), and PS disease (HR: 1.50, p < 0.001) were associated with worse survival. Median survival length was lower for PS versus NC (16 versus 26 months, p < 0.001). Surgery and surgery + radiation therapy (RT) improved survival over non-treatment or RT alone (p < 0.001). Adding RT to surgery did not yield a survival difference compared with surgery alone (p = 0.43). Five-year survival rates for surgery and surgery + RT were similar, at 27.7% and 25.1% (p = 0.43).

CONCLUSION

Surgery increased survival significantly over RT alone. RT following surgical resection did not improve survival.

Mucosal Melanoma

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.

Management of Noncutaneous Melanomas

Noncutaneous melanomas are rare subtypes of melanoma with high rates of metastatic disease and poor overall survival. One-third to one-half of cases are amelanotic, which may contribute to a delay in diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry staining with typical melanoma markers helps confirm the diagnosis. There is no standard staging system across mucosal melanomas. Elective nodal dissection is not recommended and there is a paucity of data to support use of sentinel lymph node biopsy. Mutational analysis should be routinely performed. Systemic therapy options include targeted inhibitors, immunotherapy, and cytotoxic chemotherapy, although further studies are needed to confirm their efficacy.

Primary malignant melanoma of the gastric antrum: A case report

Primary melanoma of the antrum is a rare and aggressive disease. Diagnosis requires a correlation between the patient's history, tumor histopathology, and immunohistochemistry. Surgery and mutation-targeted treatments may improve overall survival.

Anorectal Melanoma Misdiagnosed as Hemorrhoids: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Anorectal melanoma is a rare and aggressive malignant neoplasm with an indolent course, manifesting with nonspecific symptoms and a poor prognosis. We present a case of anorectal melanoma that was initially treated as hemorrhoids and correctly diagnosed after lower gastrointestinal endoscopy. We also present the latest findings in the literature about anorectal melanomas and discuss updates about treatment options and management.

Primary BRAF Mutant Melanoma of the Lung Treated with Immunotherapy and Pulmonary Bilobectomy: A Case Report

BACKGROUND Primary melanoma of the lung is a rare tumor that represents 0.01% of primary lung tumors, with only 40 cases reported in the literature. Mucosal melanomas are tumors with a biological and clinical presentation that differs from that of cutaneous melanomas; therefore, the therapeutic approach differs as well. Survival rates of patients with primary melanoma of the lung are much lower than those of patients with cutaneous melanoma, and there are no diagnostic or treatment guidelines for this entity. Radical surgery is the treatment of choice when disease is resectable. The effectiveness of current established treatments for cutaneous melanoma (eg, immunotherapy and targeted therapy) is unknown in this particular subgroup. CASE REPORT We present the case of a patient who presented with cough and hemoptysis. The fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed an endobronchial mass and the computed tomography images suggested an unresectable mass. The patient was initially diagnosed with an unresectable primary lung melanoma with a clinical stage IIIB (T4N2M0). This lesion achieved partial response after treatment with Pembrolizumab, which allowed radical surgery to be performed, achieving complete resection with negative margins and adequate postoperative evolution. Despite the delays in our health care system, she is currently alive and disease-free more than 24 months after diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Immunotherapy can reduce the size of mucosal melanoma to the point that it can be resectable and this therapeutic approach increases the survival opportunities of these patients.

Do Not Skip the Retroflexion: A Case of Disseminated Anorectal Mucosal Melanoma

Less than 4% of melanomas are of mucosal origin, with primary anorectal mucosal melanomas comprising a small subset. Mucosal melanomas are often diagnosed at an advanced stage due to delay in patient presentation and obscured tumor origins leading to a more aggressive behavior and less favorable prognosis when compared with cutaneous melanomas. We present a case of metastatic anorectal mucosal melanoma with a negative colonoscopy 1 year earlier.

RAGE Signaling in Melanoma Tumors

Despite recent progresses in its treatment, malignant cutaneous melanoma remains a cancer with very poor prognosis. Emerging evidences suggest that the receptor for advance glycation end products (RAGE) plays a key role in melanoma progression through its activation in both cancer and stromal cells. In tumors, RAGE activation is fueled by numerous ligands, S100B and HMGB1 being the most notable, but the role of many other ligands is not well understood and should not be underappreciated. Here, we provide a review of the current role of RAGE in melanoma and conclude that targeting RAGE in melanoma could be an approach to improve the outcomes of melanoma patients.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced or metastatic mucosal melanoma: a systematic review

Background

Conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy offers minor benefit to patients with mucosal melanoma (MM). Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become the preferred approach in patients with advanced or metastatic cutaneous melanoma, the evidence of their clinical use for MM is still limited. This systematic review aims to summarize the efficacy and safety of ICIs in advanced or metastatic MM.

Methods

We searched electronic databases, conference abstracts, clinical trial registers and reference lists for relevant studies. The primary outcomes included the overall response rate (ORR), median progression-free survival (PFS), median overall survival (OS), one-year PFS rate, and one-year OS rate.

Results

This review identified 13 studies assessing anti-CTLA-4 monotherapy, 22 studies assessing anti-PD-1 monotherapy, two studies assessing anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 combination therapy, one study assessing anti-PD-1 antibodies combined with axitinib, and three studies assessing anti-PD-1 antibodies combined with radiotherapy. For most patients who received ipilimumab monotherapy, the ORR ranged from 0% to 17%, the median PFS was less than 5 months, and the median OS was less than 10 months. For patients who received nivolumab or pembrolizumab monotherapy, most studies showed an ORR of more than 15% and a median OS of more than 11 months. The combined administration of anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 agents showed benefits over single-agent therapy with an ORR of more than 33.3%. In a phase Ib trial of toripalimab in combination with axitinib, approximately half of patients had complete or partial responses. Three retrospective studies that investigated anti-PD-1 antibodies combined with radiotherapy showed an ORR of more than 50%, which was higher than each single modality treatment.

Conclusions

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, especially anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies alone and in combination with anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibodies or other modalities, are promising treatment options for advanced or metastatic MM. However, high-level evidence is still needed to support the clinical application.

Significance of 5-S-Cysteinyldopa as a Marker for Melanoma

Melanoma is one of the most lethal and malignant cancers and its incidence is increasing worldwide, and Japan is not an exception. Although there are numerous therapeutic options for melanoma, the prognosis is still poor once it has metastasized. The main concern after removal of a primary melanoma is whether it has metastasized, and early detection of metastatic melanoma would be effective in improving the prognosis of patients. Thus, it is very important to identify reliable methods to detect metastases as early as possible. Although many prognostic biomarkers (mainly for metastases) of melanoma have been reported, there are very few effective for an early diagnosis. Serum and urinary biomarkers for melanoma diagnosis have especially received great interest because of the relative ease of sample collection and handling. Several serum and urinary biomarkers appear to have significant potential both as prognostic indicators and as targets for future therapeutic methods, but still there are no efficient serum and urinary biomarkers for early detection, accurate diagnosis and prognosis, efficient monitoring of the disease and reliable prediction of survival and recurrence. Levels of 5-S-cysteinyldopa (5SCD) in the serum or urine as biomarkers of melanoma have been found to be significantly elevated earlier and to reflect melanoma progression better than physical examinations, laboratory tests and imaging techniques, such as scintigraphy and echography. With recent developments in the treatment of melanoma, studies reporting combinations of 5SCD levels and new applications for the treatment of melanoma are gradually increasing. This review summarizes the usefulness of 5SCD, the most widely used and well-known melanoma marker in the serum and urine, compares 5SCD and other useful markers, and finally its application to other fields.

Clinicopathological features of melanotic and non-melanotic oncocytic lesions of the nasopharynx

Oncocytic metaplastic lesions of the nasopharynx are rare benign entities which are divided into melanotic and non-melanotic forms. Less than 40 non-melanotic and 30 melanotic cases have been reported in the literature. We present the largest known case series to date of melanotic oncocytic metaplasia and more than 20 cases of non-melanotic oncocytic metaplasia. Clinical, endoscopic, histological and immunohistochemical features were reviewed. Most cases presented in males starting from their late adulthood. Compared to its non-melanotic counterpart, all cases of melanotic oncocytic metaplasia had a smoking history (p=0.041). All cases of melanotic oncocytic metaplasia were negative to melanocytic markers (S100, HMB-45, Melan-A and MiTF). Although no disease-related mortality was recorded, concurrent melanoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma were seen in two cases.

Clinically node-negative head and neck mucosal melanoma: An analysis of current treatment guidelines & outcomes

OBJECTIVES

To analyze head and neck mucosal melanoma (MM) treatment patterns, and their association with survival, relative to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines.

MATERIAL & METHODS

Adult head and neck MM patients with clinically-staged T3/4aN0 disease were identified in a retrospective analysis of the National Cancer Database (2010-2014) and stratified into sinonasal cavity (SN) and oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, or hypopharynx (non-SN) cohorts.

RESULTS

We identified 353 SN and 79 non-SN MM cases. The majority of patients were treated with surgery (SN: 92.4%; non-SN 84.8%), within NCCN guidelines. Treatment within the non-SN MM NCCN recommendation of elective neck dissection (END) was approximately 26.6%. END is not recommended for SN MM and was not performed in 91.5% of cases. Radiotherapy (RT) is recommended in both SN and non-SN MM and was utilized in 63.5% of SN patients and 46.8% of non-SN patients. END was not independently associated with OS compared to surgery alone (SN HR: 1.350 [95% CI: 0.733-2.485]; non-SN HR: 3.460 [95% CI: 0.912-13.125]). RT was independently associated with improved OS in SN MM cases (HR: 0.679 [95% CI: 0.479-0.963]), but not in non-SN MM cases (HR: 0.824 [95% CI: 0.331-2.051]).

CONCLUSION

The majority of patients with head and neck MM are not treated within NCCN guidelines. The use of recommended END in non-SN patients is low. Similarly, adjuvant RT utilization is low. Our analysis shows that while greater use of RT may increase survival rates in this disease, the utility of END is unclear.

Recurrent vulvar melanoma in a patient with neurofibromatosis and gastrointestinal stromal tumour

We report a case of a 51-year-old woman with neurofibromatosis who presented in 2012 with postmenopausal bleeding. Excision biopsy of a pigmented lesion of the labia minora was consistent with an ulcerated vulvar BRAF wild type malignant melanoma (MM). Initial excision was followed by radical vulvectomy and adjuvant interferon. Local recurrence in January 2017 was further resected. Positron emission tomography (PET)-CT in May 2017 identified an FDG avid omental deposit; consistent histologically with MM when resected. Postoperative PET-CT in August 2017 demonstrated local recurrence. In the setting of resected stage IV disease and a third local recurrence, the decision was made to instigate immunotherapy. Vulvar melanoma is rare accounting for 0.2% of all melanoma. Presentation is typically a decade later than cutaneous melanoma with a tendency to late metastases and poorer prognosis. Given their rarity the treatment paradigm is less clearly defined and largely extrapolated from that of cutaneous melanomas.

Unusual Clinical Presentations of Malignant Melanoma: A Review of Clinical and Histologic Features with Special Emphasis on Dermatoscopic Findings

This review presents the main challenges encountered when diagnosing unusual variants of malignant melanoma with the aim of raising awareness to allow application of the most appropriate treatment strategies. Although these melanomas are often rare, their misdiagnosis potentially jeopardizes patients' health and survival, and has medicolegal implications. The clinical and histologic presentations of melanoma vary greatly, and assessment of uncommon melanomas can be difficult for practitioners because of their scarcity and resemblance to other dermatologic entities. The most problematic melanoma types are desmoplastic melanoma, polypoid melanoma, primary dermal melanoma, verrucous malignant melanoma, pigmented epithelioid melanocytoma, mucosal melanoma, follicular melanoma and melanoma with non-melanocytic differentiation. The two most difficult-to-diagnose subtypes of melanoma are the nevoid and the amelanotic melanomas. Some specific attributes of these variants can be more easily recognized with digital dermatoscopy, facilitating early detection and possibly avoiding invasive procedures. Key cases with the most notable clinical, dermatoscopic, and histopathologic features are presented, highlighting the practical issues of making an accurate diagnosis and choosing the best therapy.

Predominance of triple wild-type and IGF2R mutations in mucosal melanomas

BACKGROUND

Primary mucosal melanoma (MM) is a rare subtype of melanoma that arises from melanocytes in the mucosa. MM has not been well profiled for mutations and its etiology is not well understood, rendering current treatment strategies unsuccessful. Hence, we investigated mutational landscape for MM to understand its etiology and to clarify mutations that are potentially relevant for MM treatment.

METHODS

Forty one MM and 48 cutaneous melanoma (CM) tissues were profiled for mutations using targeted deep next-generation sequencing (NGS) for 89 cancer-related genes. A total of 997 mutations within exons were analyzed for their mutational spectrum and prevalence of mutation, and 685 non-synonymous variants were investigated to identify mutations in individual genes and pathways. PD-L1 expression from 21 MM and 18 CM were assessed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Mutational spectrum analysis revealed a lower frequency of UV-induced DNA damage in MM than in CM (p = 0.001), while tobacco exposure was indicated as a potential etiologic factor for MM. In accordance with low UV damage signatures, MM demonstrated an overall lower number of mutations compared to CM (6.5 mutations/Mb vs 14.8 mutations/Mb, p = 0.001), and less PD-L1 expression (p = 0.003). Compared to CM, which showed frequent mutations in known driver genes (BRAF 50.0%, NRAS 29.2%), MM displayed lower mutation frequencies (BRAF; 12.2%, p < 0.001, NRAS; 17.1%), and was significantly more enriched for triple wild-type (no mutations in BRAF, RAS, or NF1, 70.7% vs 25.0%, p < 0.001), IGF2R mutation (31.7% vs 6.3%, p = 0.002), and KIT mutation (9.8% vs 0%, p = 0.042). Of clinical relevance, presence of DCC mutations was significantly associated with poorer overall survival in MM (log-rank test, p = 0.02). Furthermore, mutational spectrum analysis distinguished primary anorectal MM from CM metastasized to the bowel (spectrum analysis p < 0.001, number of mutations p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrated a potential etiologic factor and driver mutation for MM and strongly suggested that MM initiation or progression involves distinct molecular-mechanisms from CM. This study also identified mutational signatures that are clinically relevant for MM treatment.

Mucosal Melanoma: a Literature Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Mucosal melanoma is of great interest due to its aggressive behavior and less favorable prognosis. The literature is mainly case reports and case series. Here, we will collect the knowledge on mucosal melanoma from the last decade and review the literature. The main focus is being site-specific clinical features, treatment, and prognosis.

RECENT FINDINGS

The use of immunotherapy gain ground as for others subsets of melanoma. Anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1/ PD-L1 blockade in mucosal melanoma have been evaluated in recent studies. Clinical trials are ongoing. The etiology of mucosal melanomas remains unknown. Head and neck mucosal melanomas are most common. Wide excision surgery is the treatment of choice. The effect of adjuvant therapy on survival remains questionable due to the limited knowledge. Radiotherapy seems to give better local control. The overall five-year survival rate for mucosal melanomas is 0-45%. Recent data indicates that this may be improved by the immunotherapy in the years to come.

What does the 4th edition of the World Health Organization Classification of Head and Neck Tumors (2017) bring new about mucosal melanomas?

The recently published 4th Edition of the World Health Organization Classification of Head and Neck Tumors addresses the most relevant and updated aspects of tumor biology, including clinical presentation, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and prognosis of head and neck tumors. The objective of the present study is to compare these updates to the 3rd edition of that book with regard to mucosal melanomas and to highlight the potential factors that differ those tumors from cutaneous melanomas. We observed progress in the understanding of oral and sinonasal mucosal melanomas, which also present themselves, in the molecular scope, differently form cutaneous melanomas.

Prognostic factors in head and neck mucosal malignant melanoma

OBJECTIVE

Primary mucosal malignant melanoma of the head and neck (HN-PMMM) is an aggressive and uncommon neoplasm. Herein, we present a series of 33 patients and the results of treatment, and aimed to determine prognostic factors in HN-PMMM.

METHODS

Patients who were diagnosed as having HN-PMMM in our reference hospital, between 2005 and 2014 were evaluated. Thirty-three of these patients who had follow-up data were included. Surgical margin status was extracted from the original pathology reports. Archived materials were retrieved for the histopathologic findings: ulceration, necrosis, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, pigmentation, and presence of an in situ component. Mitotic activity was evaluated using phosphohistone H3 (PHH3) immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS

We found an association of PHH3 mitotic activity with overall survival in a univariate analysis and to our knowledge, this is the first report among the available case series of HN-PMMM to evaluate mitotic activity using immunohistochemical staining. We also investigated the relationship between multicentricity and locoregional recurrence, which the authors believe is also a first.

CONCLUSION

PHH3 mitotic activity can be used a prognostic factor for head and neck mucosal malignant melanoma.

Melanoma as a surprising solution to the puzzle of intestinal obstruction

We present a case of a 71-year-old man with an advanced melanoma of the right colon. The final diagnosis was determined based on histopathological examination of the material collected during urgent laparotomy performed due to ileus. Although we considered the tumor to be a disseminated primary melanoma of the colon, the possibility of unknown primary origin could not be excluded. Palliative chemotherapy and radiotherapy reduced symptoms associated with the disease and prolonged patient's survival.

Mucosal melanoma: clinical, histological and c-kit gene mutational profile of 86 French cases

BACKGROUND

Mucosal melanomas are rare and highly aggressive tumours. Few studies evaluated mucosal melanomas of locations other than the head and neck region, and other than those of the Asian population.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to analyse the clinical and histological features, as well as the mutational status of c-kit and b-raf gene of mucosal melanoma in any localization in a French series.

METHODS

We investigated clinical (sex, age, performance status, survival, treatment of the patients and lack of pigmentation of the tumours) and histopathological features (ulceration, Breslow's index, mitotic rate), as well as the mutational status of c-kit and b-raf of 86 mucosal melanomas diagnosed in 15 years in four French University Hospitals.

RESULTS

Most melanomas affected women (72%) and the genital region (46.5%). A fifth of melanomas were amelanotic. 81% of melanomas had a Breslow's index ≥1, whereas all glans melanomas, and most vulvar melanomas had a Breslow index ≤1 mm. Overall survival was 54% at 3 years; 11.6% of the 43 tested mucosal melanomas were c-kit-mutated while the 15 tested genital melanomas were not. The c-kit gene mutation did not influence the overall survival. Age ≥ 50, amelanotic type and performance status ≥1 were not poor prognostic factors in our series.

CONCLUSION

This study confirmed that mucosal melanomas are rare and could be difficult to diagnose being often amelanotic and in hidden sites. Most melanomas were thick at the diagnosis, but glans and vulvar melanomas were thinner probably because of their greater visibility. The frequency of the c-kit mutation varied depending on the initial tumour site. In our series, the prognosis was poor, independently from c-kit mutations and the patient's general health and age. The presence of metastasis at diagnosis was associated with a worse prognosis indicating the importance of an early diagnosis.

A Review of the Aetiopathogenesis and Clinical and Histopathological Features of Oral Mucosal Melanoma

Oral mucosal melanoma is an uncommon, usually heavily melanin-pigmented, but occasionally amelanotic aggressive tumour with a poor prognosis. Despite radical surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy, local recurrence and distant metastasis are frequent. Microscopical examination is essential for diagnosis, and routine histological staining must be supplemented by immunohistochemical studies. The aetiology is unknown, the pathogenesis is poorly understood, and the 5-year survival rate rarely exceeds 30%. In most cases, oral mucosal melanoma arises from epithelial melanocytes in the basal layer of the epithelium and less frequently from immature melanocytes arrested in the lamina propria. In both cases the melanocytes undergo malignant transformation, invade deeper tissues, and metastasize to regional lymph nodes and to distant sites. Very rarely metastasis from skin melanoma may give rise to oral mucosal melanoma that may be mistaken for primary oral mucosal melanoma. The pathogenesis of oral mucosal melanoma is complex involving multiple interactions between cytogenetic factors including dysregulation of the cKit signalling pathways, cell cycle, apoptosis, and cell-to-cell interactions on the one hand and melanin itself, melanin intermediates, and local microenvironmental agents regulating melanogenesis on the other hand. The detailed mechanisms that initiate the malignant transformation of oral melanocytes and thereafter sustain and promote the process of melanomagenesis are unknown.

Sinonasal Melanoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

Purpose. Sinonasal malignant mucosal melanoma is a rare, aggressive tumour. Nasal obstruction and epistaxis are the most commonly reported symptoms, although symptomatology may develop late and be nonspecific, which tends to delay diagnosis, resulting in a poorer prognosis. Case Report. This report describes a 64-year-old male patient with nasal obstruction and epistaxis. Computed tomography of the facial sinuses revealed a large lesion in the right nasal cavity, with infiltration into the left cavity, ethmoidal cells, and erosion of the cribriform plate. Initial incisional biopsy revealed an undifferentiated carcinoma of the right maxillary sinus, staged as T4aN0M0. Induction chemotherapy was initiated with cisplatin and etoposide. Response to treatment was complete. The patient was then submitted to radiotherapy with concomitant cisplatin. Immunochemical analysis revealed positivity for vimentin, S100, and HMB-45 (human melanoma black 45), a result compatible with a diagnosis of malignant melanoma. Discussion. Due to the rarity of the tumour and the patient's complete response to chemotherapy and since no blackened lesion had been found at the previous exam, treatment was continued as planned. The patient remains healthy, with no metastasis or recurrence. He is currently being monitored by the clinical oncology team.

Oncogenic BRAF fusions in mucosal melanomas activate the MAPK pathway and are sensitive to MEK/PI3K inhibition or MEK/CDK4/6 inhibition

Despite remarkable progress in cutaneous melanoma genomic profiling, the mutational landscape of primary mucosal melanomas (PMM) remains unclear. Forty-six PMMs underwent targeted exome sequencing of 111 cancer-associated genes. Seventy-six somatic nonsynonymous mutations in 42 genes were observed, and recurrent mutations were noted on eight genes, including TP53 (13%), NRAS (13%), SNX31 (9%), NF1 (9%), KIT (7%) and APC (7%). Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK; 37%), cell cycle (20%) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-mTOR (15%) pathways were frequently mutated. We biologically characterized a novel ZNF767-BRAF fusion found in a vemurafenib-refractory respiratory tract PMM, from which cell line harboring ZNF767-BRAF fusion were established for further molecular analyses. In an independent data set, NFIC-BRAF fusion was identified in an oral PMM case and TMEM178B-BRAF fusion and DGKI-BRAF fusion were identified in two malignant melanomas with a low mutational burden (number of mutation per megabase, 0.8 and 4, respectively). Subsequent analyses revealed that the ZNF767-BRAF fusion protein promotes RAF dimerization and activation of the MAPK pathway. We next tested the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of vemurafenib, trametinib, BKM120 or LEE011 alone and in combination. Trametinib effectively inhibited tumor cell growth in vitro, but the combination of trametinib and BKM120 or LEE011 yielded more than additive anti-tumor effects both in vitro and in vivo in a melanoma cells harboring the BRAF fusion. In conclusion, BRAF fusions define a new molecular subset of PMM that can be targeted therapeutically by the combination of a MEK inhibitor with PI3K or cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors.

Sequential Combination Chemotherapy of Dacarbazine (DTIC) with Carboplatin and Paclitaxel for Patients with Metastatic Mucosal Melanoma of Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinuses

By the recent introduction of molecular targeting drugs against BRAF mutation and immune checkpoint inhibitors, the prognosis of patients with melanoma in advanced stage is now improving, but still in the minority. Mucosal melanoma lacks the BRAF mutations, and hence conventional chemotherapeutic regimens must be improved. We have conventionally used dacarbazine (DTIC) for patients with metastatic mucosal melanoma. However, the efficacy of DTIC in patients with metastatic mucosal melanoma has been limited. Therefore, we explored other possibilities to improve the prognosis of patients suffering from metastatic mucosal melanoma. In this communication, we present a retrospective analysis of the sequential combination chemotherapy of DTIC with carboplatin and paclitaxel (CP) for metastatic mucosal melanoma of nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. The objective response rate of seven patients is 14.3% by RECIST 1.1 and the overall survival (OS) is 12.5 months. These data indicate that the sequential combination chemotherapy of DTIC with CP could be an option for patients with metastatic mucosal melanoma of nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses who are currently ending into dismal prognosis.

The presentation and outcomes of mucosal melanoma in 695 patients

BACKGROUND

Most data on sinonasal mucosal melanoma come from small institutional studies, and therefore optimal treatment methods are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between treatment and survival in sinonasal mucosal melanoma.

METHODS

Six hundred ninety-five patients diagnosed with sinonasal mucosal melanoma between 2004 and 2010 were identified from the National Cancer Data Base. Treatment modalities and overall survival rates were determined.

RESULTS

The 5-year overall survival was 21.7%, with a mean survival of 38.4 ± 1.7 months. The majority of patients were treated with surgery alone (31.5%) or surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy (41.4%). There was no statistical difference between survival with surgery alone and surgery with adjuvant radiation therapy (25.1% vs 25.1%, p = 0.93). Between the surgery and surgery-with-adjuvant-therapy groups, there was no difference in the number of patients with positive margins (p = 0.54), regional lymph node metastases at diagnosis (p = 0.55), morbidity scores (p = 0.58), insurance status (p = 0.13), age > 60 years (p = 0.24), or treatment at academic centers (p = 0.12).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on this large review of patients with sinonasal mucosal melanoma, adjuvant radiation therapy may not provide a survival benefit as patients tended to do poorly regardless of adjuvant radiation status.

Graphite Tattoo on the Gingiva: A Case Report

INTRODUCTION

Graphite tattoos may easily be confused with amalgam tattoos and have been reported on infrequently in relevant literature. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report in which the incineration method was used for the histopathologic diagnosis of a graphite tattoo on the gingiva.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 24-year-old female patient was referred to the periodontology department of Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey, for evaluation of an asymptomatic pigmented lesion on the maxillary anterior gingiva. A gray-blackish, irregularly shaped macule was observed on the maxillary anterior attached gingiva between the left central and lateral incisors. Radiographs showed no radiopaque foreign particles or pathologic changes in alveolar bone and related teeth. The pigmented area was removed using an excisional incision. The incineration method was used as a differential diagnosis for the histopathologic examination. There was no additional recurrence of the problem by the end of a 1-year follow-up examination.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnosis of pigmented lesions of the oral cavity and gingiva shows different variations. It is not always possible to distinguish a benign pigmented lesion from an early melanoma on the basis of clinical features alone. A biopsy is usually recommended for focal oral pigmented lesions that cannot be explained by local factors. The incineration method can be used for differential diagnosis between melanin and graphite tattoo accumulation because carbon can be eradicated with this method. However, the same cannot be said for melanin.