Open AccessPrimary Melanoma of Skin of the Breast Region
Author(s) -
YeuTsu N. Lee,
Frank C. Sparks,
Donald L. Morton
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
annals of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.153
H-Index - 309
eISSN - 1528-1140
pISSN - 0003-4932
DOI - 10.1097/00000658-197701000-00003
Subject(s) - medicine , melanoma , lymphadenectomy , dissection (medical) , pathological , lymph , mastectomy , radical mastectomy , incidence (geometry) , adjuvant , modified radical mastectomy , immunotherapy , mammary gland , wide local excision , surgery , breast cancer , oncology , lymph node , pathology , cancer , cancer research , physics , optics
Primary melanoma of skin of the breast region accounted for less than 5% of all malignant melanomas. During a two-year period, 12 patients were seen with these unique lesions. It appears that wide excision and prophylactic lymphadenectomy, including radical mastectomy, gave the best long-term local and regional control. Dissection of the internal mammary nodes did not seem to be beneficial. Pertinent literatures emphasizing several important pathological factors which correlate with higher incidence of metastases to the regional lymph nodes are reviewed. A rational therapeutic approach, synthesizing above information and incorporating postoperative adjuvant immunotherapy, is suggested.