title: A retrospective multicenter evaluation of cutaneous melanomas in Turkey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We defined melanoma distribution in a large series of Turkish patients and evaluated the prognostic parameters of melanomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1574 patients' data was retrospectively collected at 18 centers in Turkey. Demographic characteristics were questioned and noted. Prognostic parametres were evaluated based on sentinel lymph node involvement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age was 56.7 (4-99) years. While 844 (53.6%) cases were male, 730 (46.4%) cases were female. One thousand four hundred forty-seven (92%) cases were invasive melanoma and 127 (8%) cases were in-situ melanoma. The most common histopathological form was the superficial spreading melanoma (SSM) which was found in 549 patients (37.9%). It was followed by nodular melanoma in 379 (26.2%), acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) in 191 (13.2%) and lentigo maligna melanoma in 132 (9.1%), respectively. On univariate analysis, lymphovascular invasion (p<0.001), tumor thickness (p<0.001), histopathological subtype (p<0.001), Clark level (p=0.001), ulceration (p<0.001), ≥6/mm2 mitosis (p=0.005), satellite formation (p=0.001) and gender (p=0.03) were found to be associated with sentinel lymph node positivity. Regression was associated with sentinel lymph node negativity (p=0.017). According to multivariate analysis, lymphovascular invasion and tumor thickness were significant independent predictive factors of SLN positivity. Patient age, tumor localization, precursor lesions, lymphocytic infiltration and neurotropism were not related with sentinel lymph node involvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this retrospective analysis, it was found that the prevalence of SSM is at a lower rate while the prevalence of ALM is at a higher rate when compared to western countries. According to Breslow index; most of the melanoma lesions' thickness were greater than 2 mm, corresponding Clark IV. Vascular invasion and tumor thickness are the most important factors for sentinel lymph node involvement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Maresal Cakmak Military Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey E-mail : mgamsizkan@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gamsizkan
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.forename: Nesimi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Buyukbabani
authors.forename: Cuyan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Demirkesen
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Demiriz
authors.forename: Emel Dikicioglu
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Cetin
authors.forename: Umit
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ince
authors.forename: Taner
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Akalin
authors.forename: Nese Calli
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Demirkan
authors.forename: Banu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lebe
authors.forename: Ozlem
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Erdem
authors.forename: Ozay
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gokoz
authors.forename: Damlanur
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sakiz
authors.forename: Peyker Temiz
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Demireli
authors.forename: Hesna Muzeyyen
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Astarci
authors.forename: Saduman Balaban
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Adim
authors.forename: Itir Ebru
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Zemheri
authors.forename: Arbil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Acikalin
authors.forename: Banu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yaman
authors.forename: Ovgu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Aydin
authors.forename: Cumhur Ibrahim
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Bassorgun
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D012737:Sex Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D047368:Tumor Burden; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult