Prognostic risk factors of first recurrence in patients with primary stage I-II cutaneous malignant melanoma -from the population-based Swedish melanoma register

Abstract

Background

Prognostic factors in patients with localised primary cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) are well described. However, prognostic factors for recurrence are less documented.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to identify prognostic risk factors for first recurrence in patients with localised stage I-II CMM using population-based data.

Methods

This study included 1 437 CMM patients registered in one region of Sweden during 1999-2012 followed-up through December 31, 2012. To identify first recurrence of CMM disease, data from a care data warehouse, the pathology and radiology department registries were used. Patients were also followed through a census register and the national Cause of Death Register.

Results

The 5- and 10-year RFS were 85.7% and 81.2%, respectively. The most common site of first recurrence was regional lymph node metastasis closely followed by distant metastasis. After adjusting for all prognostic factors, women had 50% lower risk of recurrence than men (HR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.4 - 0.7) and patients ≥75 had higher risk compared to patients 55-69 years (HR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.2 - 2.5). Other significant prognostic factors for risk of recurrence were tumour thickness, presence of ulceration, Clark's level of invasion and histogenetic type.

Conclusion

Tumour thickness was found to be the predominant risk factor for recurrence. The prognostic factors for recurrence coincided with prognostic factors for CMM-death. The most common site of first recurrence in stage I-II CMM is regional lymph node (42.8%) closely followed by distant metastases (37.6%), a fact which has to be taken into consideration when choosing follow-up strategies.

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