RT Journal
A1 Chang CK, Jacobs IA, Vizgirda VM, Salti GI
T1 MElanoma in the elderly patient
JF Archives of Surgery
JO Archives of Surgery
YR 2003
FD October 1
VO 138
IS 10
SP 1135
OP 1138
DO 10.1001/archsurg.138.10.1135
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.138.10.1135
AB Background 
    The incidence of cutaneous melanoma is rising steadily, and the rate of increase is among the highest for any form of cancer. Although the reliability of age as a prognostic factor is debatable, several studies suggest that age has an important prognostic use.Hypothesis 
    Age alone does not predict a poor prognosis in the older patient with melanoma.Setting 
    University teaching hospital.Methods 
    A retrospective review was undertaken to identify patients aged 65 years or older with intermediate-thickness melanoma (1-4 mm). Two hundred thirteen such patients were identified. Data are given as mean ± SD.Results 
    The mean age was 72.2 ± 6.1 years. The mean follow-up was 49 months. By univariate analysis, the mean disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) for lymph node–positive patients was 36.0 ± 9.6 and 56.0 ± 10.6 months, respectively. The mean DFS for node-negative patients was 155.0 ± 9.8 months, and the mean OS was 166.0 ± 9.2 months (P<.001 for both). The mean DFS and OS for women were 151.0 ± 11.2 and 163.0 ± 10.9 months, respectively. In contrast, men had 116.0 ± 9.5 months' DFS and 127.0 ± 9.0 months' OS (P = .01 for both). By multivariate analysis, lymph node status was the most predictive variable for DFS and OS (P<.001 for both). Sex tended to affect OS (P = .02) but did not achieve prognostic significance on DFS (P = .09). Other factors such as location, ulceration, histological type, and mitoses per square millimeter failed to show any prognostic significance. Stratification into 3 age groups (65-70, 71-80, and >80 years) had no significant effect on DFS (P = .95) or OS (P = .92).Conclusions 
    Lymph node status is the most important prognostic factor in older patients with intermediate-thickness melanoma. Identification of high-risk factors may help stratify these patients for recommendation of more aggressive treatment or adjuvant therapies. Among these patients, age alone was not a significant prognostic factor in the clinical management of melanoma.