The prognostic significance of the clinical and histological parameters in primary cutaneous melanoma patients

Abstract

Cutaneous melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer and its incidence is unfortunately increasing. In the last decades, a progressive increase of new cases of diagnosed thin melanoma has been noted. This may be due to earlier detection, better surveillance, improved diagnostic criteria or increased exposure to sunlight. Despite the fact that Breslow tumor thickness has the strongest proven prognostic significance, there are still thin melanomas that metastasize and thick melanomas with favorable evolution. Therefore, the identification of strong predictive factors for survival is mandatory, particularly for patients with thin melanoma.