Prognostic evaluation of cutaneous malignant melanoma: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study.
OBJECTIVE
Depth of invasion and stage of the disease are established prognostic indicators in cutaneous malignant melanoma. The role of other parameters is still an open problem.


METHODS
In 93 consecutive patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma, the level of invasion, tumor thickness, ulceration, vascular invasion, lymphoplasmocytic infiltrates, and mitotic index were evaluated by histology. Expression of Ki-67 and PCNA proliferative antigens together with vimentin, S100, and HMB 45 proteins were assessed by immunohistochemistry.


CONCLUSIONS
Disease-free and overall survival were correlated with tumor stage, tumor thickness, level of invasion, macroscopic pattern, ulceration, vascular invasion, expression of HMB 45, PCNA, and Ki-67/MIB1. Stage, HMB 45, and PCNA were independent prognostic factors for disease-free survival, whereas tumor stage, tumor thickness, and expression of both proliferative antigens influenced overall survival independently. The variables studied demonstrated reciprocal correlation; therefore, analysis of many prognostic parameters in malignant melanoma could be recommended.
Niezabitowski
A
A
Department of Pathology, Oncology Center, Cracow, Poland. z5rys@cyf-kr.edu.pl
Czajecki
K
K
Ryś
J
J
Kruczak
A
A
Gruchała
A
A
Wasilewska
A
A
Lackowska
B
B
Sokołowski
A
A
Szklarski
W
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D002455:Cell Division; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D011379:Prognosis; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D014746:Vimentin / Q000032:analysis
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D014746:Vimentin