In a nutshell
This study investigated the relationship between tumor thickness and melanoma prognosis. Researchers suggested that patients with less than 0.8 mm thick tumors have an improved prognosis.
Some background
Primary tumor thickness is the most important predictor of melanoma outcomes. The current melanoma staging system defines the thickness of tumors with up to 1 mm being T1a and T1b tumors. However, it is very important to define tumor thickness of patients with less than 1 mm thick tumors (most of the melanoma patients) to assess their risk and to better treat them.
Methods & findings
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between tumor thickness (in tumors with less than 1 mm) and melanoma outcomes. The study included information about 6263 patients with skin melanomas. 2117 of these patients has T1 melanoma. Patients were followed-up for an average of 14.4 years.
The survival associated with melanoma was 92% for those with a thickness up to 0.3 mm. For patients with tumors more than 8 mm thick, the survival rate was 32%.
The 10-year survival rates for those with tumors up to 0.8 mm thick was 93.4%. For patients with tumors 0.9 to 1 mm thick, the survival rate was 81.1%.
The bottom line
This study determined that melanoma patients with tumors up to 0.8 mm thick have better cancer prognosis. This factor can be used to predict cancer outcomes and better plan the treatment of these patients.
Published By :
Annals of Surgical Oncology
Date :
Jan 12, 2018
