Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors among 2,313 patients with stage III melanoma: Comparison of nodal micrometastases versus macrometastases

Charles M. Balch, Jeffrey E. Gershenwald, Seng Jaw Soong, John F. Thompson, Shouluan Ding, David R. Byrd, Natale Cascinelli, Alistair J. Cochran, Daniel G. Coit, Alexander M. Eggermont, Timothy Johnson, John M. Kirkwood, Stanley P. Leong, Kelly M. McMasters, Martin C. Mihm, Donald L. Morton, Merrick I. Ross, Vernon K. Sondak

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

306 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the survival rates and independent predictors of survival using a contemporary international cohort of patients with stage III melanoma. Patients and Methods: Complete clinicopathologic and follow-up data were available for 2,313 patients with stage III disease in an updated and expanded American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) melanoma staging database. Kaplan-Meier and Cox multivariate survival analyses were performed. Results: Among all 2,313 patients with stage III disease, 81% had micrometastases, and 19% had clinically detectable macrometastases. The 5-year overall survival was 63%; it was 67% for patients with nodal micrometastases, and it was 43% for those with nodal macrometastases (P < .001). Tremendous heterogeneity in survival was observed, particularly in the microscopically detected nodal metastasis subset (from 23% to 87% for 5-year survival). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that in patients with nodal micrometastases, number of tumor-containing lymph nodes, primary tumor thickness, patient age, ulceration, and anatomic site of the primary independently predicted survival (all P < .01). When added to the model, primary tumor mitotic rate was the second-most powerful predictor of survival after the number of tumor-containing nodes. In contrast, for patients with nodal macrometastases, the number of tumor-containing nodes, primary ulceration, and patient age independently predicted survival (P < .01). Conclusion: In this multi-institutional analysis, we demonstrated remarkable heterogeneity of prognosis among patients with stage III melanoma, especially among those with nodal micrometastases. These results should be incorporated into the design and interpretation of future clinical trials involving patients with stage III melanoma.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2452-2459
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology
Volume28
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - May 10 2010
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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