Premium
Prognostic classification of malignant melanoma by clinical criteria
Author(s) -
FUNK W.,
SCHMOECKEL CH.,
HÖLZEL D.,
BRAUNFALCO O.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1984.tb04035.x
Subject(s) - melanoma , medicine , dermatology , melanoma diagnosis , oncology , cancer research
SUMMARY In a retrospective study of 503 well‐documented cases of primary malignant melanoma (stage I) clinical criteria were analysed for their prognostic relevance. The maximum elevation (in mm) of the tumour was found to be the most important single prognostic factor. There was a close association with tumour thickness, measured histologically by the method of Breslow (correlation coefficient=0·73). A combination of elevation and three additional clinical criteria (site, nodule‐ or lesion‐diameter, and surface defects such as erosion, ulceration or bleeding) allowed a further improvement in prognostic accuracy. This clinical classification into low‐risk and high‐risk melanomas was as effective as the use of tumour thickness measured histologically, and can therefore be used for the preoperative planning of treatment.