[Changes in the concentration of urinary homovanillic acid as a prognostic factor in patients treated for malignant...

In 34 patients with malignant melanoma in three different stages HVA concentrations were determined. Some patients in stage 1 presented a considerable discrepancy between concentration values and values reported in other works. This group had been controlled for three years to observe the development of disease. We found three subgroups: the first with values within 4,3-6.0 mg/24 hr haven't had any recurrence; the second with values within 6.8-11.75 mg/24 hr presented lymphonodal metastasis in the lapse of six months - 1 year; in the third with values within 10-20 mg/24 hr patients died in two years for disseminated metastasis. The Authors according to the results achieved, conclude that variation of HVA concentration will be further prognostic factor.