Related Experiment Videos
Neoplastic progression and prognosis in melanoma
D E Elder1, P Van Belle, R Elenitsas
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery
|December 1, 1996
Summary
Most melanomas progress from a curable radial growth phase (RGP) to a less certain vertical growth phase (VGP). Prognostic models use factors like tumor thickness and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) to predict melanoma cure probability.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dermatology
- Pathology
Background:
- Melanoma progression involves distinct phases: radial growth phase (RGP) and vertical growth phase (VGP).
- Early RGP melanomas have a near 100% cure rate, while VGP melanomas present diagnostic challenges.
- Despite earlier detection efforts, approximately 70% of diagnosed melanomas are in the VGP stage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review established and emerging prognostic factors for melanoma.
- To discuss the development of prognostic models for estimating melanoma cure probability.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of melanoma progression and prognostic indicators.
- Analysis of identified independent prognostic variables in melanoma.
Main Results:
- Key prognostic variables include primary neoplasm thickness, mitotic figure count, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL).
- Future prognostic markers may involve molecular targets on neoplastic cells related to metastasis.
Conclusions:
- Accurate melanoma prognosis relies on understanding tumor attributes and host factors.
- Continued research into molecular markers will enhance prognostic accuracy for vertical growth phase melanoma.