Mucosal melanomas of the head and neck

Malignant melanomas arising from the mucosal areas of the head and neck are rare. When such neoplasms are encountered, the problem of their management is often poorly resolved. Cases of primary malignant melanoma of the maxillary sinus, the nasopharynx, oral cavity and laryngo-pharynx are presented and the results of treatment analyzed. Much of the difficulty in therapy is due to an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms which determine survival. A brief discussion of melanoma immunology is presented. Surgery (including cryosurgery) remains the primary therapy when possible. The role of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation therapy in such lesions cannot be clearly delineated at this time.