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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model

Published on: May 18, 2018

[Melanomas more serious in the elderly].

Wilbert A G van der Meijden¹, Rozemarijn L van Bruchem-Visser, H Bing Thio

¹Erasmus Medisch Centrum, Afd. Inwendige Geneeskunde, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. w.vandermeijden@erasmusmc.nl

Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde

|May 21, 2010

Summary

Elderly patients diagnosed with metastatic cutaneous melanoma face limited treatment options and a poor prognosis. Early diagnosis is crucial for improving outcomes in older individuals with this aggressive skin cancer.

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Last Updated: Jun 12, 2026

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Published on: May 18, 2018

Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model

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Published on: September 7, 2013

Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells

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Published on: June 7, 2019

Area of Science:

Oncology
Dermatology
Geriatrics

Background:

Cutaneous melanoma incidence rises with age, with old age being an independent risk factor for poor prognosis.
Older patients often exhibit more serious histological characteristics and aggressive melanoma subtypes.
Elderly individuals are more prone to developing liver or cerebral metastases.

Observation:

Two elderly patients (96-year-old woman, 94-year-old man) were diagnosed with metastatic cutaneous melanoma.
One patient had a history of primary tumor resection 18 months prior; the other presented with neurological symptoms from recent metastasis.
Both patients succumbed to the disease within three weeks of diagnosis.

Findings:

Metastatic cutaneous melanoma has a high metastatic rate and limited treatment options.
Older age is associated with increased Breslow thickness and a higher frequency of nodular melanoma, lentigo maligna, and acral lentiginous melanoma.
Elderly patients frequently present with advanced metastatic sites, including the liver and brain.

Implications:

Early diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma is vital for improving prognosis, particularly in the elderly population.
The aggressive nature and advanced presentation of melanoma in older adults necessitate tailored diagnostic and treatment strategies.
Further research into age-specific risk factors and therapeutic interventions for metastatic melanoma is warranted.