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Abstract Background Primitive location of melanoma could be a relevant prognostic factor. As regards the scalp, some studies indicate a particularly aggressive biological behaviour for this anatomical localisation. Objectives In this multicentric study, data regarding head–neck melanoma (HNM) have been revised. Methods The design of the study included two main phases. In this retrospective study, data regarding HNM have been collected and analysed. Results In summary, our data suggest that the posterior neck is the area most affected by thicker melanomas. Cheeks and neck melanoma are associated with reduced disease‐free years of life and overall survival compared with all other sites of HNM. Conclusions This study provides useful information in defining the clinical features of HNM, thus improving diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Background: Endocavitary radiation therapy is an alternative to surgical therapy for some early rectal carcinomas. Careful patient selection is necessary to ensure good results. The purpose of this study was to examine the authors' experience with endocavitary radiation at their institution from 1984 to 1991 to determine which factors were associated with treatment failure to provide for better future patient selection., Methods: Thirty-two patients with carcinoma of the rectum, not apparently involving the muscle wall, underwent 75-120 Gy of endocavitary radiation as potentially curative therapy. Treatment was given as a series of 2-4 doses of 30 Gy at three weekly intervals. Twenty-two patients had polypoid tumors, 5 sessile, and 5 ulcerated., Results: After a mean follow-up of 43 months (range, 6-103 months), 4 of 5 patients (80%) with ulcerated tumors developed local recurrences, compared with only 4 of 27 (15%) with sessile or polypoid lesions. Not only was the incidence of local recurrence greater for patients with ulcerated tumors (P = 0.009), but the time to recurrence was shorter also (P = 0.0001). Tumor size, anterior or posterior location, and dose of radiation received did not affect the rate of recurrence., Conclusions: These results indicate that superficial polypoid and sessile rectal tumors can be managed successfully with endocavitary radiation. Ulcerating tumors are likely to recur locally within a short time and therefore should be considered for surgical treatment initially.