Control of malignant melanoma of the nasal mucous membrane

Malignant melanoma of the nasal mucous membrane continues to be a rare disorder which is difficult to treat. Five year survival rate appears to be less than 30% and most patients who die of the disease have distant metastasis. At this time, the otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeons must strive to control local and regional disease with surgical means. Unfortunately, these means are usually inadequate because survival is critically dependent on the biology of the melanoma and its interaction with the patient's immune system.