Study: Head and Neck Melanomas Show Unique Patterns

Key Takeaways

• Head and neck melanomas are often diagnosed at a more advanced stage with increased tumor thickness and ulceration.
• Head and neck melanomas show a higher likelihood of regional lymph node involvement.
• Despite aggressive features, patients exhibit comparable overall survival rates with current systemic therapies.

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology reports that cutaneous melanomas located on the head and neck (CHNM) exhibit distinct clinicopathological features and treatment outcomes compared to melanomas at other anatomical sites (CMOS). 

Researchers for the paper analyzed patient data on more than 13,000 individuals to assess differences in tumor characteristics and responses to systemic therapies. According to the data, CHNM are often diagnosed at a more advanced stage, with increased tumor thickness and higher rates of ulceration. CHNM also showed greater propensity for regional lymph node involvement. Despite these aggressive features, patients with CHNM showed comparable overall survival rates to those with melanomas at other sites when treated with current systemic therapies.

The authors posited that the unique lymphatic drainage and vascular anatomy of the head and neck region may contribute to the observed differences in tumor behavior, and recommended that clinicians consider these distinct characteristics when developing treatment plans for (CHNM) patients.

"There are likely to be biological differences between CHNM and CMOS," the authors wrote. "Primary melanoma site should be considered in the multidisciplinary decision-making process when deciding whether to recommend immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Further research is required to characterize the molecular differences between melanomas arising at different primary sites, which will have implications for future drug targets and further personalized treatment."

Source: Li A, et al. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2024. Doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2024.06.107