In-transit Melanoma Metastases: Incidence, Prognosis, and the Role of Lymphadenectomy

Abstract

This large study demonstrates that the diagnosis of melanoma ITM carries serious adverse prognostic implications and will assist in improving the accuracy of staging and prognostic estimates as well as treatment in these patients.

Major prognostic factors for recurrence and survival independent of the American Joint Committee on Cancer eighth edition staging system in patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma treated with multimodality therapy

“…In‐transit metastasis, which is currently incorporated into the melanoma staging system, has been associated with increased mortality in cutaneous SCC. It is a rare and advanced phenomenon that is not addressed in the manual . In addition, several risk factors previously included in the AJCC seventh edition system are omitted in the eighth edition, including histologic differentiation and unfavorable location (eg, ear or lip).…”

Patterns of failure following the excision of in‐transit lesions in melanoma and the influence of excisional margins

“…[5] In-transit disease often precedes the onset of systemic disease, with subsequent probability of survival ranging from 35 to 60% at five years. [6]…”

Talimogene Laherparepvec (T-VEC) for the Treatment of Advanced Melanoma

“…First, in-transit metastases occur when melanoma cells spread to the dermal lymphatics and present as cutaneous or subcutaneous lesions, generally between a primary tumor and its regional lymphatic basin [4]. While this represents only regional disease, lesions can be quite numerous, making surgical resection difficult.…”