Mucosal melanoma

Mucosal melanoma is a rare condition characterized by a melanoma of the mucous membranes. This subtype is associated a worse prognosis than those arising from the skin.^{[1]: 696 [2]} Mucosal melanomas occur in the head and neck (55%), anorectal (24%) and vulvovaginal region (18%), and in the urinary tract (3%).^[3] Based on the histopathologic and clinical features, melanomas of the vulva and vagina are often considered a separate disease entity.^[4] The prognosis of vulvovaginal melanomas is poor, especially for vaginal melanomas and has not improved over the last decades.^[5] While chemotherapy has not shown capacity to improve survival in clinical and observational studies, immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., pembrolizumab) have been tested in mucosal melanomas and have shown promising response rates.^[6][7]

Mucosal Melanoma
Photograph at initial examination showing an oversized pigmented soft mass (melanoma) arising from the palate.
Pronunciation	\ myü-ˈkō-zəl, \ ˌme-lə-ˈnō-mə
Specialty	Oncology, pathology, dermatology, gynecology, gastroenterology
Symptoms	malaise, fatigue, bleeding, diarrhea, constipation, nose bleeds, skin discoloration, itching, discharge, ulcers, anosmia, hyposmia, skin irritation, canker sores, bloody stools, bloody urine, gum disease, rosacea
Complications	distant and/or microscopic metastasis
Types	mucosal melanoma of the head and neck, vulvar melanoma, vaginal melanoma, anorectal melanoma
Causes	smoking, carcinogens, genetics, chemicals, CID, HIV
Diagnostic method	biopsy, colonoscopy
Treatment	radiation, chemotherapy, surgery

See also

• Melanoma