Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
Identification of OTX1 and OTX2 As Two Possible Molecular Markers for Sinonasal Carcinomas and Olfactory Neuroblastomas
Published on: February 28, 2019
[Sinonasal mucosal malignant melanoma]
Patrick Saint-Blancard1, Michel Kossowski2
1Service d'anatomie pathologique, Hôpital d'Instruction des Armées Percy, Clamart (92).
Introduction:
Mucosal melanomas are rare tumors, and primary sinonasal malignant melanomas uncommon tumors that are frequently misclassified. Differential diagnosis should rule out other sinonasal malignancies, including carcinoma, lymphoma, sarcoma, and olfactory neuroblastoma.
Case:
We report two new cases of sinonasal melanoma. One involved a 68-year-old man being followed for chronic sinusitis, despite antibiotics; he presented a tumor of the right nasal cavity. The second case was that of a 77-year-old woman, referred for painful gingival swelling shown to involve osteolytic growth in the left maxillary sinus. In both cases, pathologic examination of the biopsy samples concluded that these were sinonasal malignant melanomas.
Discussion:
Histologically, the diagnosis is very difficult because of the polymorphic features of this tumor, and immunohistochemical studies are very important. The relative inaccessibility of the mucosa to self-examination often delays diagnosis and leads to late detection and poor prognosis.
