Affiliation:
1. Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine Guangzhou Guangdong China
2. Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou Guangdong China
Abstract
AbstractObjectivesTo analyze the treatment outcomes and prognostic factors of mucosal melanoma of the head and neck (MMHN) from a single institution.MethodsFrom December 1989 to November 2018, 190 patients diagnosed with MMHN were included. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan–Meier method for univariate analysis with a log‐rank test for significance and Cox regression for multivariate analysis.ResultsWith a median follow‐up time of 43.5 months, 126 (68.5%) patients died. The median DSS was 35 months. The 3‐ and 5‐year disease‐specific survival (DSS) rates were 48.1% and 33.7%, respectively. The median overall survival (OS) was 34 months. The 3‐ and 5‐year OS rates were 47.0% and 32.9%, respectively. In univariate analysis, the T3 stage, received surgery, R0 resection, and combined therapy (surgery+biotherapy/biochemotherapy) were significantly associated with better survival. Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that the T4 stage (HR = 1.692; 95% CI, 1.175–2.438; p = .005) and the N1 stage (HR = 1.600; 95% CI, 1.023–2.504; p = .039) were strong prognostic factors for poor survival, and that combined therapy (surgery+biotherapy/biochemotherapy) was a strong prognostic factor for better survival outcome (HR = 0.563; 95% CI, 0.354–0.896; p = .015).ConclusionThe prognosis of MMHN remains poor. Systemic treatment is warranted to reduce MMHN progression. Surgery combined with biotherapy may improve survival.