Nodular type predominance of head and neck cutaneous malignant melanoma in Asian populations leads to poor outcome and low survival

Cutaneous malignant melanomas of the head and neck (HNM) are proposed to have notable histological and clinical differences from those at other sites (other melanoma); however, HNMs among Asians have remained poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological features and prognostic factors of HNM in Asians. Asian melanoma patients who underwent surgical treatment from January 2003 to December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinicopathological features and risk factors for local recurrence, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis were analyzed. Among 230 patients, 28 (12.2%) were diagnosed with HNM, and 202 (87.8%) with other melanoma. The histologic subtype significantly differed as the nodular type was predominant in HNM whereas the acral lentiginous type was predominant in other melanoma ( P < 0.001). HNM was significantly associated with higher local recurrence ( P = 0.045), lymph node metastasis ( P = 0.048), distant metastasis ( P = 0.023), and lower 5-year disease-free survival ( P = 0.022) than other melanoma. Ulceration was the risk factor for lymph node metastasis based on multivariable analysis ( P = 0.013). A high proportion of HNM present as the nodular subtype in Asians, leading to poor outcomes and low survival. Therefore, more cautious surveillance, evaluation, and aggressive treatment are required.