The prognostic impact of the extent of ulceration in patients with clinical stage I– II melanoma: a multicentre study of the Italian Melanoma Intergroup ( IMI )

Abstract
Background The presence of ulceration has been recognized as an adverse prognostic factor in primary cutaneous melanoma (PCM). Objective To investigate whether the extent of ulceration (EU) predicts relapse free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in PCM. Methods 477 patients with ulcerated PCM were retrieved from databases of Italian Melanoma Intergroup. Univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the independent prognostic impact of EU. Results A significant interaction emerged between Breslow thickness (BT) and EU considering both RFS (p4 mm BT. Conclusion This study demonstrated that EU has an independent prognostic impact in PCM and should be recorded as a required element in pathology reports.
Funding Information
  • Italian Melanoma Intergroup (IMI, grant 3/2015)