Clinicopathological Characteristics and survival analyses of Primary Mucosal Malignant Melanoma: An Experience from a Cancer of Pakistan

Author(s): Masood Ur Rehman, Osama Shakeel, Uzma Khalid, Raheem Dhanani, Hannan Ali, Abdul Wahid Anwer, Awais Amjad Malik, Shahid Khattak, Aamir Ali Syed, Raza Hussain

Introduction: Mucosal malignant melanoma (MMM) can arise from the ocular mucosal membranes, and mucosal membranes of respiratory tract, gastrointestinal and genitourinary tract. They are rare and aggressive cancers with poor prognosis. The cornerstone of management is surgical resection along with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The aim of the study is to analyze the clinicopathological factors and survival analyses of MMM from Pakistan population.

Methodology: During 1st January 1995 to 31st December 2018, patients presented with histological diagnosis of Primary MMM at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC), Pakistan were selected. It is a retrospective study with convenience sampling. Calculations were performed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 20) for Windows version 20.

Results: During the span of two decades, 269 patients presented with the histological diagnosis of MMM. 163 (60.5%) patients had cutaneous malignant melanoma, 98 (36.4%) patients had MMM, five (1.8%) patients had ocular malignant melanoma and 3 (1.1%) had visceral malignant melanoma. Of all the MMM, anal canal (59.1%) was the most prevalent site, followed by mucosal melanoma of head and neck region (19.4%) and then female genital track (14.1%). One male patient also had malignant melanoma of urethra. Mean age at the diagnosis of mucosal malignant melanoma was 53 years (23-97). Median duration of symptoms was 8 months (3-36). Genital malignant melanoma had the most favorable survival outcomes of 25 months, followed by anorectal MM (22 months). The worst survival outcomes were noticed among patients with melanoma of mucosal origin from head and neck region (10 months). Median overall survival after mucosal malignant melanoma was 19 months (3-97).

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