Image analysis of stage 1 melanoma (1.00-2.50 mm): lymphocytic infiltrates related to metastasis and survival.
Image analysis of histologic sections of 11 patients with clinical Stage 1 melanoma, 1.00 mm-2.50 mm, who developed metastasis, was done to determine the significance of lymphocytic infiltrates relative to metastasis and survival. An age, sex, site, and thickness matched control group of non-metastasizing clinical Stage 1 melanoma revealed no significant difference in the lymphocytic infiltrate parameters from the metastasizing group with the exception of the ratio of lymphocyte infiltrate width to the tumor width (p = 0.003). Increased lymphocytic infiltrates within the tumor and subjacent to its base significantly correlated with delayed time to metastasis (p = 0.014 and p < 0.001, respectively) and longer survival period (p = 0.045 and p < 0.001, respectively). Lymphocytic infiltrate area at the tumor base in relation to tumor area was of prognostic value: the larger the ratio, the greater the time interval from metastasis to death (p = 0.008).
Pastorfide
G C
GC
Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02129.
Kibbi
A G
AG
de Roa
A L
AL
Barnhill
R L
RL
Sober
A J
AJ
Mihm
M C
MC
Byers
H R
HR
D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / Q000473:pathology*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary*; D011379:Prognosis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary*