Factors affecting the prognosis of melanoma

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

1. It is related to the depth of tumor infiltration. According to the results of a follow-up study of a group of malignant melanoma by the World Health Organization, the prognosis is closely related to the thickness of the tumor. The 5-year survival rate is 89% for tumors ≤0.75mm, and only 25% for those ≥4mm.

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%; the head is second, with a 5-year survival rate of 53%; the limbs are better, with a 5-year survival rate of 57% for lower limbs and 60% for upper limbs; the prognosis of melanoma occurring in the mucosa is even worse.

4. Age and gender: It is generally believed that female patients are significantly better than male patients, and younger patients are better than older patients.

5. The surgical method is related to the thickness of the tumor and the range of resection. For thickness ≤ 0.75 mm, the resection range is 2 to 3 cm from the tumor edge; for thickness > 4 mm, wide resection is performed within 5 cm 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.