The prognosis of patients with stage III melanoma. Prospective long-term study of 286 patients of the Fachklinik Hornheide.

BACKGROUND

Prognostic factors for patients with stage III melanoma are still controversial.

METHODS

Two hundred eighty-six patients with solitary cutaneous malignant melanoma of the skin in Stage III (International Union Against Cancer [UICC]) were followed up for as long as 11 years.

RESULTS

Patients in risk group pT 4a, pN O (primary tumor thickness of more than 4 mm or invasion of subcutis and absence of regional lymph node metastasis in elective lymph node specimen) have a 5-year survival rate of 72.8%. If regional metastases are excluded clinically (pT 4a, NO), the 5-year survival rate is 62.8%. Patients with regional lymph node metastases have an average 5-year survival rate of 39%, depending mainly on the number of involved lymph nodes and the depth infiltration of the primary tumor. The number of involved lymph nodes reflects the grade of dissemination. It shows a stronger correlation with the prognosis than does the size of metastases.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors recommend that revisions of the UICC classification should distinguish Stage IIIA and IIIB based on the presence or absence of regional metastases and that a clearer distinction should be made between regional cutaneous or subcutaneous metastases and regional lymph node metastases.