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

Abstract

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. Retrospective, population-based, multicenter study. The hospital surgical and discharge registries were used to identify the patients. A database including demographic and clinicopathologic variable was created. 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). The current UICC staging system for mucosal melanoma provides a useful format for staging SMMMs in clinical settings.