Malignant melanoma of nose and palate

Summary

Melanomas are mostly pigmented tumour, having very often malignant course and poor prognosis, developed in the functioning melanoblast cells rarely occur in nasopharynx, paranasal sinuses, and oral cavity, appear to have some genetic predisposition and multiple primary lesions, lymphatic and vascular metastasis to regional gland and distant regions. These tumours in Head and Neck appear as bulky black or brown lobular masses with occasional cauliflower like ulcers having recurrent epistaxis or blood stained discharge from nose or oropharynx. The diagnosis is usually delayed because of indefinite symptoms. The best chances of cure are possible with a combination of radical surgery. Electrodissection and Irradiation. Block dissection may sometimes be postponed for future unless there is suspicion of existing nodal metastasis. In surgically hopeless cases Radiotherapy and chemotherapy offer the best hope for some palleation, separately or in combination.