Accuracy of the current TNM classification in predicting survival in patients with sinonasal mucosal melanoma

Abstract

Objectives/hypothesis: The first International Union Against Cancer (UICC) TNM classification for aerodigestive malignant mucosal melanoma was not published until 2009, and since then, only a few studies have evaluated the accuracy of this staging system. Our aim was to evaluate the accuracy of this UICC staging system for sinonasal malignant mucosal melanoma (SMMM) in a nationwide survey.

Study design: Retrospective, population-based, multicenter study.

Methods: The hospital surgical and discharge registries were used to identify the patients. A database including demographic and clinicopathologic variable was created.

Results: Altogether, 50 SMMM patients diagnosed in Finland from 1990 to 2004 were evaluated. Three- and 5-year overall survival rates were 44% and 27%, respectively. Significant differences in overall survival according to T classification (P = .028, log rank) and stage (P = .02, log rank) were found. Tumor extension to the sphenoid sinus had a significant negative impact on survival (n = 11, P = .03, log rank).

Conclusions: The current UICC staging system for mucosal melanoma provides a useful format for staging SMMMs in clinical settings.