Cancer medicine
Investigating Risk Factors for Delayed Melanoma Recurrence Beyond 5 Years Post-Primary Tumor Diagnosis
By Itin K, Lapides R, Paria S and 16 others.
Abstract
Background
Patients undergoing treatment for cutaneous melanoma are generally considered cured after a period of 5 years, since most recurrences manifest within three to 5 years. However, some patients can present with a delayed recurrence of melanoma beyond a 10-year timeframe.
Objective
To identify clinicopathologic factors associated with survival in patients with cutaneous melanoma who developed metastatic recurrence at least 5 years after primary diagnosis.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective single-center cohort study of 30 patients with cutaneous melanoma developing metastatic recurrence at least 5 years post-diagnosis. The cohort contained 18 women and 12 men (mean age 50.2; range 25-76). Variables included age, sex, BRAF status, site, melanoma subtype, Breslow thickness, ulceration, Clark level, regression, and recurrence localization. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and post-recurrence survival (PRS) were evaluated via Cox proportional hazards models.