Retrospective cohort study of clinical and pathological factors in stage I and II melanoma recurrence

A retrospective cohort study at the University of California, San Francisco, investigated clinical and pathological factors associated with the risk of melanoma recurrence among patients with localized (stage IA to IIC) melanoma. The study included 1092 patients with a diagnosis of localized melanoma from 2010 to 2017. Median age at the time of diagnosis was 60 years (range 0-96); 57% were male. Multivariable analysis identified 6 variables significantly associated with time to recurrence: ulceration, thickness, tumor location on scalp or neck or face versus arms, neurotropism, lymphovascular invasion, and mitoses. The authors conclude that variables beyond those currently considered standard for staging for survival prognosis (ulceration and thickness) were associated with time to melanoma recurrence.