Malignant melanoma of the nasal cavity and nasopharynx treated with cisplatin and accelerated hyperfractionated radiation

Primary malignant melanoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses is an uncommon disease, accounting for only 0.5-2% of all malignant melanomas. The primary treatment has been surgery. The frequency of local recurrence is high and recurrence is also the major determinant of treatment failure. Here we report on six patients with locally advanced disease, four of whom were too advanced for surgery, who were treated with accelerated hyperfractionated radiation in combination with cis-platinum. Three of four patients treated for local recurrent disease achieved a local cure and died of disseminated disease after 9-21 months. One patient given preoperative cisplatin and radiation is still alive with no evidence of disease 34 months after the completion of treatment. The present protocol may be a useful approach to obtain local control with the possibility of long-term cure.