Doppler ultrasound flowmetry predicts 15 year outcome in patients with skin melanoma

This prospective cohort study was conducted to find the role of tumor neovascularization in skin melanoma measured by preoperative Doppler ultrasound flowmetry in determining the 15-year outcome.

Department of Surgery, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, UK. Seventy-one primary melanomas in 67 patients were studied with a 10 MHz Doppler ultrasound flowmeter. The flow signals were recorded on an audiotape. The peak systolic frequency, mean systolic frequency, and minimum diastolic frequency were measured on a spectrum analyzer. The follow-up (median 144 months) information is complete till December 2005 on 63 patients. Blood flow signals were detected in 41 lesions; these were labeled Doppler flow positive. No flow was detected in 22 lesions, labeled Doppler flow negative. Among the Doppler flow positive group, 39% patients have died with metastatic melanoma, whereas none of the patients with a Doppler-negative lesion have died or developed any recurrence. Higher peak systolic frequency (above 2,500 MHz.) was associated with a hazard ratio for death due to melanoma of (HAZARD RATE = 5.99). Higher risk of death, locoregional, and systemic recurrences were associated with higher peak systolic frequency. Doppler flowmetry performed preoperatively is a noninvasive, quick, and simple method to assess tumor blood flow which may help in predicting long-term survival and planning neoadjuvant therapies aimed at inhibiting angiogenesis or targeting tumor vasculature.