title: What does ulceration of a melanoma mean for prognosis?
abstract: Ulceration of a primary cutaneous melanoma is clearly associated with worse prognosis, although the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Recent studies have shown that the presence of ulceration may predict response to adjuvant IFN in high-risk patients. As molecular pathways continue to be elucidated, it is possible that continued study of ulceration will provide insight into potential therapeutic strategies, or will predict response to novel targeted therapies. Future investigation into melanoma ulceration is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, 315 East Broadway, Suite 312, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
authors.forename: Glenda G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Callender
authors.forename: Kelly M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: McMasters
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D014456:Ulcer
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins