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Clinical and histologic features of level 2 cutaneous malignant melanoma associated with metastasis
Author(s) -
Taran John M.,
Heenan. Peter J.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(20010501)91:9<1822::aid-cncr1202>3.0.co;2-y
Subject(s) - medicine , melanoma , metastasis , retrospective cohort study , cancer , population , oncology , dermatology , radiology , pathology , cancer research , environmental health
BACKGROUND Metastatic melanoma developing in patients with a level 2 primary cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) is rare but has been reported in studies with follow‐up periods ranging up to 15 years. The objective of this study was to investigate level 2 CMM associated with metastasis in a population‐based retrospective study. METHODS In this retrospective population‐based study, all level 2 CMMs associated with metastases were identified in Western Australia during 1982–1989 and were followed up to the end of 1996. RESULTS Pathology reports of 2834 patients were examined. Of these, 1716 had a CMM of maximum tumor thickness 1 mm or less recorded on the pathology report. Of these, 67 had a metastatic melanoma reported on follow‐up. Histologic review of these 67 cases under blind conditions identified 5 cases with a level 2 primary CMM followed by metastasis without another primary CMM. All these level 2 CMM showed established regression. Eight other patients were identified with a level 2 CMM, metastatic melanoma, and another primary CMM of at least level 3 invasion. These subsequent primaries occurred before the metastasis had been reported. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that metastasis from level 2 CMM without regression is very rare, if it occurs at all. Cancer 2001;91:1822–5. © 2001 American Cancer Society.