Computer-assisted volumetric analysis of cutaneous malignant melanomas

The total number of neoplastic cells seems to be an important factor in interactions between host and neoplasm. Studies of patients with leukemia indicate that cure of the disease occurs after reduction of leukemic cells below 10(6). With this concept in mind, a calculation of the number of neoplastic cells in cutaneous malignant melanoma was performed by computerized volumetric analysis. Serial sections of three entire lesions were assessed by a system of Videoplan Morphometry. The results were compared with conventional prognostic variables (level, thickness, mitotic index). This method of assessing volume did not improve the prognostic accuracy afforded by simpler methods.