Melanomas of the skin and mucous membranes of the head and neck region are an uncommon problem for most clinicians. The article emphasizes the differences in terms of biological aggressiveness and treatment between lentigo maligna (LM) and lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM), superficial spreading melanoma (SSM), and nodular melanoma de novo. The results of radiotherapy in the treatment of melanoma of the head and neck are reviewed, and indications are suggested for the use of irradiation in the management of patients with this tumor. A brief discussion of the results of treatment of mucosal melanomas is given.
