ABSTRACT Background Oral mucosal melanoma (OMM) is a rare, aggressive malignancy; however, prognostic factors for OMM remain poorly defined. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to identify prognostic predictors that influence survival outcomes in OMM patients. Methods PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched for case reports, case series, and retrospective observational studies involving patients with OMM. Data on demographics, tumor features, and survival were extracted. Meta‐analysis was performed using a random‐effects model. Study quality was assessed using Murad criteria and the JBI checklist. Results A total of 16 studies comprising 1151 patients were included in the systematic review; five studies with 942 patients were included in the meta‐analysis. The pooled 5‐year survival proportion was 34% (95% CI: 24%–45%, I 2 = 87%). Key predictors of poor prognosis included tumor size > 4 cm, lymph node metastasis, and non‐palatal tumor location. Palatal lesions showed better survival (2‐year survival—85%). Treatment primarily involved surgical resection; adjuvant therapies had limited benefit. Neck dissection showed no consistent survival advantage. Conclusions Tumor size, lymph node involvement, and anatomical site are significant prognostic indicators in OMM. Standardized staging systems incorporating tumor burden and histopathologic markers are essential for improved prognostication.
Sebastian et al. (Tue,) studied this question.