Comparison of International Guidelines on Mucosal Melanoma of the Head and Neck: A Comprehensive Review of the Role of Radiation Therapy.
Mucosal melanomas of the head and neck are rare pathological entities that correlate with poor prognosis due to their high propensity for local failure and distant metastases. The exact role of radiation therapy in the management of mucosal melanoma patients has not yet been fully proven, even though in everyday clinical practice these patients are referred for radiotherapy, in an effort to improve locoregional control. The guidelines of various societies on the role of radiation therapy for the treatment of mucosal melanoma of the head and neck region are very limited. We reviewed and analyzed the guidelines developed in the U.S.A. (National Comprehensive Cancer Network), Canada (Cancer Care Ontario and Canadian Medical Association), Europe (European Society for Medical Oncology and European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology) and Australia and New Zealand (Cancer Council Australia) and isolated evidence for the management of mucosal melanomas of the head and neck region with radiation therapy worldwide.
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Patras Medical School, University Campus, Patras, Greece.
Maria
M
Pittaka
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Patras Medical School, University Campus, Patras, Greece kardim@upatras.gr.
Dimitrios
D
Kardamakis
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Patras Medical School, University Campus, Patras, Greece.
Despina
D
Spyropoulou
D002170:Canada; D005060:Europe; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008545:Melanoma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009520:New Zealand; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014481:United States
Radiation therapy; guidelines; head and neck tumors; mucosal melanomas; review