 |
|
Upper Aerodigestive Tract Metastases in Disseminated Malignant Melanoma
Lorre T. Henderson, MD;
K. Thomas Robbins, MD;
Stanley Weitzner, MD
Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1986;112(6):659-663.
Abstract
| |
• Cutaneous malignant melanoma sometimes metastasizes to the upper respiratory and digestive tracts. It may cause significant local symptoms such as airway obstruction and dysphagia, and, in some cases, may represent the initial manifestation of disseminated disease. Of the 8,823 patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma seen at The University of Texas—M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute at Houston between 1944 and 1983, metastases to this region developed in 54 patients. The most common sites involved were the tonsil, tongue, nasopharynx, larynx, and lip. Five of ten cases in which an autopsy was performed were noted to have previously undiagnosed metastatic mucosal lesions. We conclude that metastases to the upper aerodigestive tract in patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma is a distinct possibility. Melanoma patients who manifest symptoms localized to this region should be carefully examined to exclude the possibility of metastatic tumor, since alternative treatment may be required. Local endoscopic treatment may be necessary to relieve airway or digestive tract obstruction.
(Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1986;112:659-663)
Author Affiliations
From the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas—M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute at Houston (Dr Robbins); and the Departments of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (Dr Henderson) and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (Dr Weitzner), The University of Texas Medical School at Houston.
Footnotes
Accepted for publication Nov 21, 1985.
Presented at the fifth joint meeting of the American Society for Head and Neck Surgery and the Society of Head and Neck Surgeons as a scientific poster, Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico, May 5, 1985.
Reprint requests to Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas—M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute at Houston, 6723 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX 77030 (Dr Robbins).
 CiteULike  Connotea  Del.icio.us  Digg  Reddit  Technorati  Twitter
What's this?
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
Secondary Laryngeal Tumors: Report of Seven Cases With Review of the Literature
Ferlito et al.
Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1988;114:635-639.
ABSTRACT
|
