Background: Prognostic factors and risk factors for positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy results are important to identify in superficial spreading melanoma (SSM).
Methods: A single-center database and a prospective clinical trial database were reviewed for all patients with diagnoses of SSM. Logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and univariate and multivariate Cox models were used.
Results: A total of 1,643 patients with SSM were identified. Independent risk factors for positive SLN biopsy results were Breslow thickness (BT) ≥2.0 mm, age <60 years, and presence of ulceration. BT ≥2.0 mm, ulceration, lymphovascular invasion, and positive SLN and positive non-SLN biopsy results were independent risk factors for worse disease-free survival. Independent overall survival risk factors included BT ≥2.0 mm, age ≥60 years, ulceration, nonextremity tumor location, lymphovascular invasion, and positive SLN biopsy results.
Conclusions: BT, ulceration, lymphovascular invasion, and SLN and non-SLN status are important risk factors for SSM.
Keywords: Lymphovascular invasion; Melanoma histology; Melanoma prognosis; Nonsentinel lymph node melanoma; Sentinel lymph node biopsy melanoma; Superficial spreading melanoma.
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