[Malignant melanoma in Japan: unique distribution and effect of DAV chemoimmunotherapy (part II)]

This study, based on a cooperative group project involving 4 major medical institutes in Japan, presents the second survey of malignant melanoma patients (198 cases) where an attempt is made to systemically evaluate the survival rates of these patients with respect to the tumor thickness and location of primary lesions, and the response to chemoimmunotherapy. More than 50% of total collected cases showed the primary lesions on the limbs. The most common type and site of involvement is the acral lentiginous melanomas involving the plantar areas (more than 30). The survival rates affecting the limbs were better than those affecting the non-limb areas. However, the comparison of the survival rates did not reveal any difference between those cases affecting the plantar and non-plantar areas. The difference in the prognosis of melanoma patients appeared to be related to the tumor thickness. By historical comparison, the DAV (DTIC, ACNU, VCR) treated group exhibited a better survival rate than the non-DAV treated group. Furthermore, the DAV group with immunoadjuvant therapy (mainly OK-432) showed a better prognosis than the DAV group without any immunoadjuvant therapy.