In a nutshell
This study investigated the association between smoking and the risk of melanoma lymph node metastasis (LNM; spread to the lymph nodes). Researchers suggested that smoking is associated with an increase in the risk of LNM in melanoma patients.
Some background
Smoking is a well-known cause of cancer. However, it does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of melanoma. Few studies have investigated the impact of smoking on the progression of melanoma. Therefore, studies assessing the association of smoking with melanoma LNM are necessary.
Methods & findings
The objective of this study was to investigate the association between smoking and melanoma LNM.
This study included 4231 melanoma patients. Of these patients 719 were current smokers, 1100 were former smokers and 2412 never smoked. Former smokers had a 32% decrease in the odds of experiencing LNM when compared to current smokers. Patients that never smoked had a 30% decrease in the odds of having LNM when compared to current smokers.
Smoking was associated with other melanoma factors. Melanomas were thinner in patients who never smoked compared to current smokers.
The bottom line
This study determined that smoking is associated with an increased risk of experiencing LNM in patients with melanoma.
What’s next?
Discuss with your doctor about the benefits of no longer smoking.
Published By :
Annals of Surgical Oncology
Date :
Feb 21, 2017
