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Updated: May 25, 2026
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A Robust Discovery Platform for the Identification of Novel Mediators of Melanoma Metastasis
Published on: March 8, 2022
Single versus multiple primary melanomas: old questions and new answers
Charlotte Hwa1, Leah S Price, Ilana Belitskaya-Levy
1Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Cancer
|January 17, 2012
Summary
Patients with multiple primary melanomas (MPM) and single primary melanomas (SPM) show similar tumor biology, including mitosis rates. Differences in prognosis are likely due to increased surveillance in MPM patients, not inherent tumor aggression.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Multiple primary melanomas (MPM) may present with thinner tumors and better prognosis than single primary melanomas (SPM).
- Understanding clinicopathologic differences is crucial for characterizing tumor aggression in MPM versus SPM patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare clinicopathologic features of patients with MPM and SPM.
- To determine if inherent differences in tumor aggression exist between MPM and SPM.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 788 melanoma patients from 2002-2008.
- Comparison of clinical and primary melanoma characteristics between SPM and MPM groups.
Main Results:
- 61 patients (7.7%) had MPM; incidence of second primary melanoma was 4.1% at 1 year and 8.7% at 5 years.
- MPM incidence was higher in patients aged ≥60 years.
- No significant difference in mitosis presence between SPM and MPM (P = .61).
Conclusions:
- Tumors in SPM and MPM patients exhibit similar biology, indicated by comparable mitosis rates.
- Observed differences in tumor thickness and prognosis are likely attributed to external factors like increased surveillance, not tumor biology.
- Further research may explore surveillance impact on melanoma outcomes.
