Prognostic factors in invasive cutaneous malignant melanoma: a population-based study and review

Abstract

A population-based study from Sweden identified 711 patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma diagnosed in 1965, 1975, 1985 and 1989. Prognostic factors were evaluated and a review of the literature was performed. On univariate analysis, thick tumours (> 0.8 mm) (odds ratio [OR] 1.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6–2.1), increasing Clark level (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.6–2.0), ulceration (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.6–2.0), nodular melanoma (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.3–1.6) and increasing age (continuous variable, P 0.8 mm) (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2–1.7) and ulceration (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2–1.6) were independently related to a poor prognosis, while location on extremities (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.7–0.9), inflammation (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.7–0.9) and female gender (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.8–1.0) were associated with improved survival. No difference in mean tumour thickness was seen over time, but there was a significant increase in the percentage of thin melanomas (P