title: S-100 protein: a prognostic indicator in cutaneous malignant melanoma?
abstract: A series of 215 cases of cutaneous malignant melanoma referred to a single department of clinical oncology between 1940 and 1969 was studied to assess the accuracy of the Breslow thickness and the role of S-100 protein in predicting the clinical prognosis. Histological examination of these tumours showed that although the Breslow thickness correlated well with prognosis, in a significant number of cases it did not reliably forecast clinical outcome. From this series, tissue from those patients who survived disease-free for more than 10 years and those who died within a year of diagnosis was stained immunohistochemically for S-100 protein. Contrary to the findings of earlier studies, strong staining for S-100 protein was associated with improved survival (P less than 0.001). A marked increase in the incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma was noted during the period of the study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Univesity of Aberdeen, UK.
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Kernohan
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rankin
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000032:analysis*; D011379:Prognosis; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D009418:S100 Proteins