Significantly high lymphatic vessel density in cutaneous metastasizing melanoma

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Dermatology
• Pathology

Background:

• Cutaneous melanoma frequently metastasizes via lymphatic vessels.
• Increased tumor-associated lymphatics correlate with lymph node metastasis.
• Lymphatic vessel density (LVD) in melanoma requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare LVD in metastasizing melanomas versus non-metastasizing melanomas and nevi.
• To determine if LVD differs based on melanoma metastatic potential.
• To assess LVD as a potential indicator of melanoma metastasis risk.

Main Methods:

• Immunostaining of 95 melanoma and 22 nevus specimens using D2-40.
• Computer-assisted morphometric analysis for LVD quantification.
• Matching melanoma specimens by thickness (≤2.0 mm, 2.01-4.0 mm, >4.0 mm).

Main Results:

• Metastasizing melanomas (2.01-4.0 mm and >4.0 mm) showed significantly higher intratumoral and peritumoral LVD than non-metastasizing melanomas.
• No significant LVD difference was observed in melanomas ≤2.0 mm thickness.
• Metastasizing melanomas exhibited significantly higher LVD than all types of nevi.

Conclusions:

• Higher LVD is observed in metastasizing melanomas compared to non-metastasizing melanomas and nevi.
• Increased intratumoral and peritumoral LVD in intermediate and thick melanomas correlates with lymph node metastasis.
• LVD serves as a potential biomarker for identifying melanomas at higher risk of metastasis.