Evaluation of the probability of melanoma-specific mortality and non-cancer mortality

This study investigated the probability of melanoma-specific mortality and mortality by other causes in melanoma patients. Researchers suggested that an individualized study of each patient probability helps treatment-related decision making.

The majority of patients with non-metastatic (spread to other parts of the body) melanoma are cured by adequate surgical removal. Given this situation, many patients may survive longer and eventually die from non-cancer related causes. Possible mortality due to non-cancer causes should be evaluated for a better patient prognosis and treatment planning. However, these issues involving mortality by non-cancer causes have not yet been well studied for melanoma. 

The objective of this study was to evaluate the probability of melanoma-specific death and death by other causes for melanoma patients to create a predictive tool to improve prognosis and treatment plan. This study included 40,043 patients. The average follow-up period was 76 months.

A total of 7,216 patients died during the follow-up period, of whom 3,304 died from melanoma and 3,912 died of other causes. The most common non-cancer death causes were heart diseases (29.3%), cerebrovascular diseases (6.9%) and lung tumors (6.3%).

Age, tumor thickness, race, nodular melanoma (an invasive type of melanoma) site of tumor, ulceration (presence of dead cancer cells in the center of the melanoma) and lymph node metastasis were predictive factors for melanoma death. Older age, male gender, white race and negative lymph node metastasis were associated with death from non-cancer causes.   

This study determined a good individualized predictive tool that can be used in clinical practice to help in treatment-related decision making.