Prognostic factors in metastatic malignant melanoma: The Southeastern Cancer Study Group Experience

Two hundred seventy-seven evaluable patients with metastatic malignant melanoma without prior chemotherapy were entered into combination chemotherapy drug trials in the Southeastern Cancer Study Group during the period between 1974-1978. In order to determine which prognostic factors were favorable for response to chemotherapy and for survival, an analysis was performed utilizing a logistic regression equation. Significant favorable prognostic variables for complete or partial tumor regression included no involvement of lung (P = 0.045), no involvement of liver (P = 0.08), and possibly, receiving treatment schedule 361B of Table 1 (P = 0.093). It was notable that sex and initial performance status were not significant factors. Significant favorable prognostic variables for survival included high initial performance status (P less than 0.001), no involvement of liver (P = 0.005), sex-female (P = 0.056), and bone involvement only (P = 0.057); lack of brain involvement as a favorable factor was of only marginal statistical associated with survival. These data indicate stratification which should be considered in future therapeutic trials, and identify factors which may influence clinical decision making in palliative management of patients with metastatic malignant melanoma.