Postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy in the treatment of primary head and neck mucosal melanomas.

Background/aims: The role of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) in head and neck mucosal melanomas (HNMM) is not yet clearly defined. The aim of this study is to report the 21-year experience of the Brazilian National Cancer Institute in such treatment.

Methods: From January 1983 to December 2003, 31 patients with confirmed histological diagnosis of HNMM underwent treatment at the Brazilian National Cancer Institute.