Growth rate as a prognostic factor in localized invasive cutaneous melanoma

Abstract

The GR of localized cutaneous melanomas may be a possible prognostic factor for survival. Additionally, rapid GR is associated with male patients more advanced in age at diagnosis, which suggests the need to assess new strategies for the early detection of these melanomas.

Evaluation of self-assessed melanoma growth rate in a Mediterranean patient population

“…Our results are in agreement with previous studies showing that GR is an independent prognostic indicator for overall survival even after adjustment for tumor mitotic rate, Breslow, and ulceration [1,2,7]. Interestingly, we have replicated the findings of previous studies showing a survival benefit in patients with selfreported GR of less than 0.4 mm/month [2,8].…”

“…Whether this represents a distinct pattern of melanoma growing in patients with different patterns of sun exposure and probably different phenotypic characteristics should be further investigated. Compared with other studies [1][2][3]7] a very significant proportion of participants were excluded, because of their inability to recall tumor growth. It is possible that our population is less sensitized and aware about skin cancer and the alarming changes on a mole.…”

“…In order to evaluate survival rates we categorized GR according to the cut-off point proposed by TejeraVaquerizo et al [2] (< 0.4 vs. > 0.4 mm/month). Patients with GR of less than 0.4 mm had increased survival compared with those with GR of at least 0.4 mm (Kaplan-Meier estimate of the proportion surviving 9 years after diagnosis: 96.3 vs. 78.2%, respectively, P = 0.002).…”

Smartphone Teledermoscopy Referrals: A Novel Process for Improved Triage of Skin Cancer Patients

“…The Breslow thickness of MMs can increase between 0.05 to 0.5 mm every month, depending on the type of tumour (15,16). A recent study showed that MMs triaged via TD were on average 1.06 mm in thickness as compared to 1.64 mm in patients who received care after traditional paper referral (17).…”

Clinical and pathological characteristics of melanoma: a population‐based study in a French regional population

“…Indeed, these three histological types together accounted for more than 20% of all melanomas and were characterized by a significantly higher thickness as compared to the ‘superficial spreading’ and ‘lentigo maligna’ types. This could result both from a more aggressive clinical behaviour of these histologic types 29 and from later recognition of such tumours, which are often amelanotic and/or very different from the classical aspect of a ‘beauty spot’. These forms of melanoma are particularly prone to be unrecognized using classical messages concerning melanoma, like the ABCD rule 30 .…”