Open AccessExamining the impact of body mass index on overall survival in vulvar, vaginal and other mucosal melanomas: a retrospective cohort study
Author(s) -
Sheida Naderi-Azad,
Faisal Sickandar,
Rossanna C. Pezo
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
ginekologia onkologiczna/current gynecologic oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2081-1632
pISSN - 1731-5379
DOI - 10.15557/cgo.2020.0009
Subject(s) - medicine , mucosal melanoma , melanoma , retrospective cohort study , body mass index , vulvar cancer , vulva , oncology , dermatology , cancer research
Aim of the study: In this retrospective cohort study we have examined differences in survival profiles with respect to the body mass index in patients with mucosal melanoma on immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Materials and methods: The primary outcome included the association between the body mass index and overall survival in patients with metastatic mucosal melanoma. The secondary outcomes included the clinical presentation and management of vulvar and vaginal melanomas with oral and anorectal mucosal melanomas, as well as the surgical and radiological management of vulvar and vaginal melanomas. Kaplan–Meier analysis and log-rank test were used for the assessment of overall survival. Results: The results showed that patients with mucosal melanoma whose body mass index was ≥25 had better overall survival (p = 0.02). Overall survival was different between vulvar/vaginal vs. oral mucosal melanoma (p = 0.02). Overall survival was not different between vulvar/vaginal vs. anorectal melanoma (p = 0.77). Some immune toxicities were specific to patients with vulvar/vaginal melanoma. Conclusions: Obesity is associated with improved survival in patients with metastatic mucosal melanoma, although findings can be heterogeneous depending on the subtype of mucosal melanoma.