Management of nodal metastases from head and neck melanoma

Ninety-three patients with nodal metastases from melanoma (stage II) located in the head and neck underwent surgery at the National Cancer Institute of Milan. Different surgical techniques were employed, ranging from radical to conservative treatment. Analysis of the data shows no significant difference from an oncological standpoint between radical and conservative surgery when a radical dissection is performed. Elective nodal dissections for malignant melanoma of the head and neck region, like those at other sites of lymphatic drainage such as the groin and axilla, did not prove beneficial. We do recommend parotidectomy in cases where the primary tumor arises in the superior area of the head. The number of nodes involved and the type of disease spread constitute the major prognostic factors, as in the case of melanomas located in other sites. Our data further indicate that the incidence of distant and local recurrence is not influenced by the type of dissection performed.