title: Use of oncogene expression as an independent prognostic marker for primary melanoma.
abstract: For 25 years, the Breslow depth of primary tumors has remained the most accurate prognostic test of survival for primary melanoma. However a number of studies have indicated that outcome for intermediate-thickness melanomas (0.75-2.49 mm) is often at variance with that predicted by the Breslow depth. This study investigated c-myc oncogene expression in 92 primary tumors of intermediate thickness using flow cytometry. Oncoprotein expression was detected in 87 tumors (95%) with a median positivity of 48% (range, 0%-96%). Survival analysis performed using the Kaplan-Meier method revealed a significant association between oncoprotein positivity and clinical outcome (p < 0.01, log-rank test). Multifactorial analysis of survival using Cox's proportional hazards model revealed c-myc oncoprotein to be an independent prognostic marker more accurate than all other clinicopathological parameters including the Breslow depth (chi(2) = 9.68, p< 0.01). Estimation of c-myc oncoprotein is therefore recommended as a powerful prognostic marker for intermediate-thickness primary melanoma.
authors.affiliation: RAFT Institute of Plastic Surgery, Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 2RN, UK.
authors.forename: Rajiv
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grover
authors.forename: Marc D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Pacifico
authors.forename: George D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Roy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sanders
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D016259:Genes, myc; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor