title: [Changes in the concentration of urinary homovanillic acid as a prognostic factor in patients treated for malignant melanoma].
abstract: In 34 patients with malignant melanoma in three different stages HVA concentrations were determined. Some patients in stage 1 presented a considerable discrepancy between concentration values and values reported in other works. This group had been controlled for three years to observe the development of disease. We found three subgroups: the first with values within 4,3-6.0 mg/24 hr haven't had any recurrence; the second with values within 6.8-11.75 mg/24 hr presented lymphonodal metastasis in the lapse of six months - 1 year; in the third with values within 10-20 mg/24 hr patients died in two years for disseminated metastasis. The Authors according to the results achieved, conclude that variation of HVA concentration will be further prognostic factor.
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000652:urine*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000601:surgery / Q000652:urine*; D011379:Prognosis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery / Q000652:urine*
chemical_list: D006719:Homovanillic Acid
vernacular_title: Variazioni di concentrazione di acido omovanilico urinario come fattore prognostico in pazienti trattati per melanoma maligno.