What factors affect the prognosis of melanoma

Melanoma has a high recurrence and metastasis rate and a poor prognosis. Factors that affect prognosis include:

1. Related to the depth of tumor invasion

According to the World Health Organization's follow-up results on a group of malignant melanoma, prognosis is closely related to tumor thickness. For tumors ≤ 0.75 mm, the 5-year survival rate is 89%, while for those ≥ 4 mm, it is only 25%.

2. Lymph node metastasis

The 5-year survival rate of patients without lymph node metastasis is 77%, while that of patients with lymph node metastasis is only 31%. The survival rate is also related to the number of lymph node metastases.

3. Lesion location

The location of malignant melanoma is related to prognosis. Melanoma occurring on the trunk has the worst prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate of 41%. Melanoma occurring on the head is second, with a 5-year survival rate of 53%. Melanoma occurring on the limbs is better, with a 5-year survival rate of 57% for lower limbs and 60% for upper limbs. Melanoma occurring on the mucosa has an even worse prognosis.

4. Age and gender

It is generally believed that female patients fare better than male patients, and younger patients fare better than older patients.

5. Surgical method

That is, the thickness of the tumor is related to the range of resection. If the thickness is ≤0.75mm, the resection range is 2-3cm from the tumor edge. If the thickness is >4mm, the resection range is 5cm from the tumor edge. Regional lymph node dissection that does not meet the specifications often promotes the spread of the tumor throughout the body and affects the prognosis.