Mucosal malignant melanoma of sino-nasal region with orbital involvement: case report

We report a case of melanocarcinoma of sino-nasal region in a 42 year old female who presented with brownish-colored sino-nasal mass involving left orbit, spontaneous epistaxis, facial swelling on left side, and ulceration of overlying skin, cervical and distant metastasis in liver over a short time span of 3 months. On biopsy, the mass was diagnosed as melanocarcinoma of nose and paranasal sinuses. Primary mucosal malignant melanoma of the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, and nasopharynx is an aggressive disease and fortunately rare with current research data being mainly from western populations. The disease is known to be more common among elderly population in their seventies and to follow a prolonged course due to innocuous symptoms. This case is being reported for its rarity in our geographical region, early age of presentation and rapid progression of the disease over a span of 3 months.