Melanoma metastatic to cervical and parotid nodes from an unknown primary site

The medical records of 96 patients with melanoma metastatic to cervical and parotid nodes from an unknown primary site have been reviewed. The use of various surgical procedures were correlated with local recurrence and survival rates. The size and number of involved nodes and the extent of nodal disease were compared with the type of treatment, and the age and sex of the patients, incidence of above-clavicle recurrence, and the 2, 5, and 10 year survival rates. The only significant correlations were the adverse affects of patient age over 50 years and multiple, large, pathologically positive nodes on local control and survival. Adjunctive chemotherapy and immunotherapy had no therapeutic value.