A Clinico-Histopathological Study of Malignant Melanoma.
- Author:
Kyoung Ae JANG
1
;
Jong Hyuk KIM
;
Jee Ho CHOI
;
Kyung Jeh SUNG
;
Kee Chan MOON
;
Jai Kyoung KOH
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, Seoul Paik Hospital, Inje-University, Asan Medical Center.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Malignant melanoma
- MeSH:
Aged;
Brain;
Chungcheongnam-do;
Diagnosis;
Dyspnea;
Female;
Headache;
Heel;
Humans;
Hutchinson's Melanotic Freckle;
Incidence;
Joints;
Liver;
Lower Extremity;
Lung;
Lymph Nodes;
Male;
Melanoma*;
Neoplasm Metastasis;
Prognosis;
Retrospective Studies;
Skin;
Survival Rate;
Thorax;
Urinary Bladder
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
2000;38(11):1435-1443
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Cutaneous malignant melanoma represents a tumor arising within the melanocytic systems of the skin. Once considered an uncommon cancer, melanoma is now rising in incidence at a rate faster than any other cancer. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinico-pathological characteristics of malignant melanoma. METHODS: A total of 61 patients with malignant melanoma were enrolled in this retrospective study. We classified malignant melanoma as follows; ALMM, acral lentigious malignant melanoma, NMM, nodular malignant melanoma, SSMM, superficial spreading malignant melanoma, MM, mucosal melanoma, LMM, lentigo maligna melanoma. We used the staging system of American Joint Committee on Cancer to evaluate the clinical status in our subjects. The hospital charts and histopathological slides of patients with malignant melanoma diagnosed at Asan Medical Center from 1989 to 1999 were reviewed. Immunohistochemical study was performed for S-100 and HMB-45 in 10 cases and for Ki-67 in 5 cases. RESULTS: 1. The male to female ratio was 1.3. The mean age at diagnosis was 52.6 years. ALMM was the most common type(52.5%) in this study. ALMM and NMM developed in elderly persons, while SSMM developed in younger persons. Malignant melanomas arising from pre-existing mole were 10 cases(16.4%). 2. In forty two cases(68.9%), malignant lesions were limited to skin, but 19 cases(31.1%) were disseminated to lymph nodes, skin or internal organ at the initial examination. Sole and heel were the favored sites in ALMM. Lower extremities and back were the favored sites in NMM and SSMM. Four patients were initially presented with metastatic symptoms such as dyspnea, abdominal mass, headache, or axillary mass, and cutaneous malignant melanoma eventually were diagnosed as their origin. 3. Histopathologically, 6 cases were categorized into amelanotic type and 1 case was into desmoplastic type. 4. More than a half cases developed metastases to other organs. Common metastatic sites were lymph nodes, lung, brain, skin, liver, bone, and bladder in decreasing order of frequency. 5. The five-year survival rate was 100% in stage IA, IB, and IIA but 0% in stage IV. Face, chest and lower extremities showed worse prognosis. Men had worse prognosis than women. NMM revealed the lowest 5-year survival rate(30%). CONCLUSION: Among the prognostic factors such as locations, clinical types, ages, and gender, the stages at the initial presentation was the most important predictable value in our study. Therefore, the early recognition of malignant melanoma is the key to possible cure.
