Amelanotic melanoma of the nasal mucosa: A rare case report

Melanomas develop due to malignant transformation of melanocytes, which are derived from the neuroectoderm. Although the majority of melanomas are cutaneous, they occasionally arise from extra-cutaneous tissues as well which contain melanocytes, such as uvea, leptomeninges, or the mucosa. Melanomas can be melanotic or amelanotic. Approximately, 15-20% of all malignant melanomas arise in head and neck region and over 80% of these involve the skin. Mucosal malignant melanomas are very rare and may affect the upper aero-digestive tract (UADT). Their incidence is approximately as low as 0.5-3% of all malignant melanomas. Majority of noncutaneous head and neck malignant melanomas affect the ocular origin and only 6-8% originate in the mucous membranes of the UADT. Nasal mucosal melanomas account for