[Regression in primary cutaneous melanoma is not predictive for sentinel lymph node micrometastasis].
BACKGROUND
The predictive value of regression in melanoma is debated.


OBJECTIVE
A retrospective single-centre study to evaluate the correlation between regression in primary skin tumor and the presence of micrometastases in sentinel lymph nodes.


METHODS
Histological signs of regression in 84 melanomas (>1 mm) with corresponding sentinel lymph nodes were studied by two independent pathologists.


RESULTS
Regression was seen in 40 skin melanoma tumors while micrometastasis was seen in 24. Of the tumors with micrometastasis, only 10 were regressive (RR: 0.47, p=0.49). Breslow value>2 mm and male sex were predictive for node micrometastasis (RR: 4.6, p=0.03 and RR: 7.6, p=0.006, respectively). On multivariate analysis, these two factors were independent.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that regression in primary cutaneous melanoma is not predictive for lymph node metastasis.
Alquier-Bouffard
A
A
Service de Dermatologie, Université d'Auvergne Clermont-Ferrand 1, CHU, Hôtel-Dieu, Clermont-Ferrand.
Franck
F
F
Joubert-Zakeyh
J
J
Barthélémy
I
I
Mansard
S
S
Ughetto
S
S
Aublet-Cuvelier
B
B
Déchelotte
P-J
PJ
Mondié
J-M
JM
Souteyrand
P
P
D'incan
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000556:secondary*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009365:Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous / Q000473:pathology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*