Importance of Margins, Radiotherapy, and Systemic Therapy in Mucosal Melanoma of the Head and Neck

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS The ideal strategy in the treatment of mucosal melanoma of the head and neck (MMHN) remains unclear. Our objective was to evaluate the importance of surgical margins, radiotherapy, and systemic therapy in MMHN. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective Single Institutional Review. METHODS Retrospective review of patients with MMHN treated at a tertiary care oncology center between 1999 and 2016. RESULTS Seventy-six patients were included, 60 of whom were treated with curative intent. Negative or close margins compared with positive margins were associated with higher 3-year overall survival (OS) (62% vs. 29% vs. 13% P = .012), disease-free survival (33% vs. 29% vs. 4% P = .003), and distant control (48% vs. 29% vs. 22% P = .039). Cases with pre-/postoperative radiotherapy had a marginally higher locoregional control versus without (69% vs. 59%, P = .117). Immunotherapy for recurrent and/or metastatic disease was associated with an increase in 3-year OS (15% vs. 3% P = .01). CONCLUSION Achieving negative surgical margins is relevant in disease control. Despite small sample size, our data suggest that radiotherapy may enhance surgical outcomes. Immunotherapy has therapeutic benefit. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3 Laryngoscope, 131:2269-2276, 2021.