title: Nasal septal melanoma.
abstract: The controversial issues on management of nasal septal melanoma center around the extent of pretreatment evaluation. Probably the minimum required is a chest radiograph, CBC, and liver function test (Dr. Westbrook). The use of bone scan and CT scans of brain, lungs, and abdomen (Drs. Suen and Medina) is controversial and of little yield. Aside from distant metastasis to the lung, liver, and brain, the regional metastatic spread pattern includes the nodal groups of the buccal, submental, and submandibular areas, with the possibility of bilateral involvement. All consultants agreed that the primary tumor should be treated with a wide local excision; however, there is no agreement as to the extent of nodal groups included in the nodal dissection. No consultant recommended primary septal reconstruction. The use of postoperative radiotherapy in high-dose fractions remains experimental, in the protocol research stage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock.
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Suen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Westbrook
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery