The Evaluation of Estrogen Receptor β as a Potential Prognosis Factor in Melanoma

Abstract

Differences across sexes in cutaneous melanoma incidence, metastatic pathways and disease outcome are consistently observed, with women having a significant survival advantage compared with men. This suggests that gender could play a role as a prognostic indicator through sex hormone signaling, but the mechanism is still unclear. This article focuses on available literature data concerning the influence of estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) expression as a host-related biological protective factor for female patients with melanoma. Furthermore, it highlights the potential role of estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) as a prognostic biologic marker in cutaneous melanoma. Keywords: melanoma, sex, hormone receptors, estrogen receptor β

More Than Skin Deep: A Case of Nevus Sebaceous Associated With Basal Cell Carcinoma Transformation

“…BCC has a low rate of metastasis, and it is the most common skin malignancy in the Caucasian population [17]. Unlike melanoma, which is the most aggressive form of skin cancer, metastasis rates of BCC range from 0.0028% to 0.55%; however, when it does occur it tends to behave in an aggressive manner with recurrence commonly reported after surgical excision in patients affected [18,19]. Once a diagnosis of BCC is made, early intervention is key to promoting a positive patient outcome [20].…”