Clinical Review of Mucosal Melanoma: The 11-Year Experience of a Referral Center

Abstract

Introduction: Mucosal melanoma  is a rare neoplasm. Late diagnosis is caused by occult anatomic sites and scarcity of symptoms. Novel biological therapies have now become available. Demographic, therapeutical and survival records on mucosal melanoma are scarce.

Objectives: To provide an 11-year retrospective clinical review of real-world data on mucosal melanomas managed in a tertiary referral center in Italy.

Methods: We included patients with histopathological mucosal melanoma diagnosis from January 2011 to December 2021. Data were collected until last known follow up or death. Survival analysis was performed. 

Results: Among 33 patients, we found 9 sinonasal, 13 anorectal and 11 urogenital mucosal melanomass (median age 82, females 66.7%). Eighteen cases (54.5%) presented with metastasis (p<0.05). In the urogenital subgroup, only 4 patients (36.4%) had metastasis at diagnosis, all in regional lymph nodes. Sinonasal melanomas were surgically managed with a debulking procedure (44.4%); every case of anorectal and urogenital melanomas underwent radical surgery (30.8% and 45.5%). Fifteen patients were treated with biological therapy (p<0.05). Radiation therapy was used in all melanomas of the sinonasal region (p<0.05). Overall survival was longer for urogenital melanomas (26 months). Univariate analysis showed an increased hazard ratio for death in patients with metastasis. A negative prognostic value of metastatic status was reported by the multivariate model, while administration of first-line immunotherapy demonstrated a protective role.

Conclusions: At diagnosis, the absence of metastatic disease is the most relevant factor that influences the survival of mucosal melanomas. Moreover, the use of immunotherapy might prolong the survival of metastatic mucosal melanoma patients.