ABSTRACT
Malignant melanoma of the head and neck region presents a unique set of diagnostic and treatment challenges. Melanoma can occur in the head and neck region as primary lesions of the skin (cutaneous), of the naso-oropharynx (mucosal), and of the eye (ocular). It can present as regional disease with anterior or posterior cervical lymphadenopathy. Melanoma can also form satellite lesions around the primary site or subcutaneous nodules in transit from the primary site to the draining lymph node basin. Melanoma is one of the few cancers that can metastasize virtually anywhere, but prefers lung, liver, brain, and small bowel.
