A Multifactorial Analysis of Melanoma: III. Prognostic Factors in Melanoma Patients with Lymph Node Metastases (Stage II)

Twelve prognostic features of melanoma were examined in a series of 185 patients with nodal metastases (Stage II), who underwent surgical treatment at our institution during the past 20 years. Forty-four per cent of the patients presented with synchronous nodal metastases (substage IIA), 44% of the patients had delayed nodal metastases (substage IIB), and 12% of the patients had nodal metastases from an unknown primary site (substage IIC). The patients with IIB (delayed) metastases had a better overall survival rate than patients with IIA (synchronous) metastases, when calculated from the time of diagnosis. These differences could be explained on the basis of tumor burden at the time of initial diagnosis (microscopic for IIB patients versus macroscopic for IIA patients). Once nodal metastases became evident in IIB patients, their survival rates were the same as for substage IIA patients, when calculated from the onset of nodal metastases. The survival rates for both subgroups was 28% at five years and 15% for ten years. Substage IIC patients (unknown 1° site) had better five-year survival rates (39%), but the sample size was small and the differences were not statistically significant. A multifactorial analysis was used to identify the dominant prognostic variables from among 12 clinical and pathologic parameters. Only two factors were found to independently influence survival rates: 1) the number of metastatic nodes (p = 0.005), and the presence or absence of ulceration (p = 0.0019). Additional factors considered that had either indirect or no influence on survival rates (p > 0.10) were: anatomic location, age, sex, remission duration, substage of disease, tumor thickness, level of invasion, pigmentation, and lymphocyte infiltration. All combinations of nodal metastases were analyzed from survival differences. The combination that showed the greatest differences was one versus two to four versus more than four nodes. Their five-year survival rates were 58%, 27% and 10%, respectively (p < 0.001). Ulceration of the primary cutaneous melanoma was associated with a <15% five-year survival rate, while nonulcerative melanomas had a 30% five-year survival rate (p < 0.001). The combination of ulceration and multiple metastatic nodes had a profound adverse effect on survival rates. While tumor thickness was the most important factor in predicting the risk of nodal metastases in Stage I patients (p < 10^-8), it had no predictive value on the patient's clinical course once nodal metastases had occurred (p = 0.507). The number of metastatic nodes and the presence of ulceration are important factors to account for when comparing surgical results, and when analyzing the efficacy of adjunctive systemic treatments.     

Risk Factors and Predictors of Survival Among Patients with Amelanotic Melanoma Compared to Melanotic Melanoma in the National Cancer Database

BackgroundAmelanotic melanoma (AM) is a rare form of melanoma lacking pigment. Data on AM risk factors and factors predicting survival are limited.ObjectivesWe sought to identify predictors of AM, survival differences in AM and melanotic melanoma, and AM-specific survival rates.MethodsUsing 2004 through 2015 National Cancer Database data, we compared 358,543 melanoma cases to 1,384 AM cases. Multivariable logistic regression identified AM risk factors, and AM survival was explored using Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox regression.ResultsIncreased age; tumor location on the face, scalp, and neck; increased Breslow thickness; metastatic disease; ulceration; and higher mitotic rate were associated with AM. Five- and ten-year survival rates were higher for patients with MM (melanotic melanoma) than AM tumors (75.4% vs. 58.8% and 62.4% vs 45.1%; log-rank P<0.0001). No survival difference was seen after adjusting for staging factors. Among patients with AM, more recent diagnosis was associated with improved survival. Increased age, T4 tumor size, higher N-stage, metastasis, and ulceration predicted poorer survival. No survival advantage was seen for chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation therapy, likely due to confounding.ConclusionAM is more common in older patients on sun-exposed skin and is diagnosed at later stages. Advanced staging at diagnosis explains the survival differences. In patients with AM, regional and metastatic disease were the primary contributors of poorer outcomes. In at-risk patients, the threshold to biopsy should be lower for suspicious nonpigmented lesions.     

Positive Iliac and Obturator Nodes in Melanoma: Survival and Prognostic Factors

Background: The need for deep groin dissection when superficial nodes contain metastatic melanoma is controversial.Methods: A review of 362 therapeutic groin dissections performed at our tertiary referral center between 1961 and 1995 revealed 71 patients (20%) with positive iliac and/or obturator nodes. This group was analyzed for survival rates, prognostic factors for survival, regional tumor control, and morbidity.Results: Patients with involved deep nodes exhibited overall 5-year and 10-year survival rates of 24% (SE, 5%) and 20% (SE, 5%), respectively. Independent prognostic factors for survival were the number of positive iliac nodes (P = .0011), the Breslow thickness (P = .0069), and the site of the primary tumor (P = .0075). Patients with an unknown primary tumor seemed to have better prognoses. Seven patients (10%) experienced recurrence in the surgically treated groin. The shortand long-term morbidity rates (infection, 17%; skin flap necrosis, 15%; seroma, 17%; mild/ moderate lymphedema, 19%; severe lymphedema, 6%) compared well with those of other series studying inguinal as well as ilioinguinal dissections.Conclusions: From the present study it can be concluded that removal of deep lymph node metastases is worthwhile, because one of every five such patients survives for 10 years. Prognostic factors for survival are the number of involved iliac nodes, the Breslow thickness, and the site of the primary tumor. Long-term regional tumor control can be obtained for 90% of the patients. The morbidity of an additional deep lymph node dissection is acceptable.     

Prognostic Factors Influencing Survival Rates in Children Following Lung Transplantation

Objectives

To assess the results of lung transplantation (LT) in children under 17 years of age and identify factors affecting long-term survival.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of 37 patients (<17 years) who had received a lung transplant between 1996 and 2007. Morbidity, mortality, and survival were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test.

Results

There were 37 LTs: 30 bilateral, four lobar, two liver-lung, one unilateral. Indications for transplantation were: cystic fibrosis (n = 30), pulmonary fibrosis (n = 1), bronchiectasis (n = 1), Kartagener's syndrome (n = 1), bronchiolitis obliterans (n = 3), and pulmonary fibrosis due to radiotherapy-chemotherapy (n = 1). The intubation time and oxygenation index of donors were 49 ± 36 hours and 455 ± 83.5 mm Hg, respectively. Seventeen patients needed extracorporeal circulation (ECC) and 13 were coded as priorities. High blood pressure and renal failure were the most frequent complications. Overall survival rates were 65.7%, 59.4%, 56.1%, 44.5%, and 39.6% at 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Need for ECC (P = .001), surgical complications (P = .037), oxygenation index <450 mm Hg (P = .005), OLT in priority code (P = .04), and age of donor >16 years (P = .005) were associated with poor survival.

Conclusions

LT is an appropriate procedure for certain types of end-stage pediatric pulmonary pathologies, achieving acceptable long-term survival rates. When the procedure is carried out under a surgical priority code, it is associated with a high rate of perioperative morbidity and mortality and poorer long-term survival. Other factors that have a negative influence on survival include the need for ECC, surgical complications, an oxygenation index <450 mm Hg, and donor age >16 years.     

Prognostic Factors in Patients Undergoing Lymphadenectomy for Malignant Melanoma

Review of a 19 year experience in melanoma patients undergoinglymphadenectomy at the National Cancer Institute revealedthat the preoperative assessment of the status of theregional lymph nodes was accurate 91% of the time when thesurgeon felt the nodes were clinically positive, and accurate79% of the time when the nodes were judged clinically negative.The 10-year survival in patients with one to three histologicallypositive nodes or no positive nodes was 50–55%, compared to a25% 8-year survival in patients with four or more histologicallypositive nodes. Stepwise multivariate evaluation of prognosticfactors indicated that the most important factor for predictingprognosis is the number of nodes histologically involved. Nodepalpability was the second most important factor because of itshigh correlation with number of nodes histologically involved.Site of melanoma was the third most important factor, aspatients with extremity (upper or lower) melanoma had a bettersurvival (P = 0.002) than patients with axial melanoma (trunkor head and neck). Five years following lymphadenectomythere appeared to be substantial differences in survivalaccording to differences in the level of invasion of the primarylesion, however, these differences were not nearly aspronounced 10 years following node dissection.

B The division of melanoma thicknesses into <1.50 mm and>1.50 mm provided some prognostic discrimination at fiveyears but again the differences were not pronounced 10 yearsfollowing node dissection. The thickness measurements wereeasier to determine than the level of invasion, and more reproduceableon resubmission to the same pathologist. Fourpatients with melanoma less than 0.76 mm had subsequentmetastases, but these may represent inadequate sampling of theprimary melanoma both in our series and in the four similarpatients previously reported with such thin metastasizingmelanomas.

     

A Multifactorial Analysis of Melanoma: Prognostic Histopathological Features Comparing Clark's and Breslow's Staging Methods

A multifactorial analysis was used to identify the dominant prognostic variables affecting survival from a computerized data base of 339 melanoma patients treated at this institution during the past 17 years. Five of the 13 parameters examined simultaneously were found to independently influence five year survival rates: 1) pathological stage (I vs II, p = 0.0014), 2) lesion ulceration (present vs absent, p = 0.006), 3) surgical treatment (wide excision vs wide excision plus lymphadenectomy, p = 0.024), 4) melanoma thickness (p = 0.032), and 5) location (upper extremity vs lower extremity vs trunk vs head and neck, p = 0.038). Additional factors considered that had either indirect or no influence on survival rates were clinical stage of disease, age, sex, level of invasion, pigmentation, lymphocyte infiltration, growth pattern, and regression. Most of these latter variables derived their prognostic value from correlation with melanoma thickness, except sex which correlated with location (extremity lesions were more frequent on females, trunk lesions on males). This statistical analysis enabled us to derive a mathematical equation for predicting an individual patient's probability of five year survival. Three categories of risk were delineated by measuring tumor thickness (Breslow microstaging) in Stage I patients: 1) thin melanomas (<0.76 mm) were associated with localized disease and a 100% cure rate: 2) intermediate thickness melanomas (0.76-4.00 mm) had an increasing risk (up to 80%) of harboring regional and/or distant metastases and 3) thick melanomas (≥4.00 mm) had a 80% risk of occult distant metastases at the time of initial presentation. The level of invasion (Clark's microstaging) correlated with survival, but was less predictive than measuring tumor thickness. Within each of Clark's Level II, III and IV groups, there were gradations of thickness with statistically different survival rates. Both microstaging methods (Breslow and Clark) were less predictive factors in patients with lymph node or distant metastases. Clinical trials evaluating alternative surgical treatments or adjunctive therapy modalities for melanoma patients should incorporate these parameters into their assessment, especially in Stage I (localized) disease where tumor thickness and the anatomical site of the primary melanoma are dominant prognostic factors.     

Limb Salvage and Survival Rates Among Elderly Patients with Advanced Limb Ischemia

(Received for publication on Nov. 5, 1996; accepted on May 12, 1997)     

Predictors of Survival in Mucosal Melanoma of the Head and Neck

Background  

The head and neck is the most common site of mucosal melanoma, a cancer with poor prognosis. In contrast to cutaneous melanoma, mucosal melanoma of the head and neck (MMHN) is uncommon, with limited data regarding outcomes and prognostic factors drawn from small, single-institution case series. In order to identify factors predictive of survival, we analyzed MMHN outcomes in a large US cohort.     

维持性血液透析患者住院率及生存率分析

目的：了解我中心维持性血液透析（MHD）患者的住院率、死亡率及其原因,为提高患者生存率提供依据。方法：回顾性分析2010年5月~2013年5月我中心MHD患者的住院率、死亡率及其原因,以及治疗前后各项指标的变化。结果：我中心年住院率为595住院次/1 000病人年,主要原因有心脑血管事件（13.0%）、血管通路问题（11.5%）、感染（9.9%）等。死亡率为13人/1 000病人年,主要死亡原因为心脑血管事件（50%）、感染（25%）等。经治疗后所有患者KT/V、Hb、血清钙水平较治疗前均有明显升高（P〈0.05）。结论：心脑血管事件、血管通路、感染是我中心MHD患者住院的主要因素,其中心脑血管事件和感染是死亡的主要原因。     

Survival Analysis and Clinicopathological Factors Associated With False-Negative Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Findings in Patients with Cutaneous Melanoma

Background We analyzed the outcomes and factors associated with false-negative (FN) results of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy findings in patients with cutaneous melanoma. SLN biopsy failure rate was defined as nodal recurrence in the biopsied regional basin without previous local or in-transit recurrence.Methods Between April 1997 and December 2004, a total of 1207 patients with cutaneous melanoma with a median Breslow thickness of 2.4 mm underwent SLN biopsy by preoperative and intraoperative lymphoscintigraphy combined with dye injection. In 228 cases, we found positive SLNs; of these, 220 underwent completion lymph node dissection (CLND). Median follow-up was 3 years.Results The SLN biopsy failure rate was 5.8% (57 of 979 SLN negative). Median time to occurrence of FN relapse after SLN biopsy was 16 months (range, 3–74 months). The FN SLN biopsy results correlated with primary tumor thickness >4 mm (P = .0012), primary tumor ulceration (P = .0002), primary tumor level of invasion Clark stage IV/V (P = .0005), and nodular melanoma histological type (P = .0375). Five-year overall survival, calculated from the date of primary tumor excision, in the FN group was 53.7%, which was not statistically significantly worse than the CLND group (56.8%; P = .9). The FN group was characterized by a higher ratio of two or more metastatic nodes and extracapsular involvement of lymph nodes after LND compared with the CLND group (P < .0001 and P < .0001, respectively). Additional detailed pathological review of FN SLN revealed metastatic disease in 14 patients, which decreased the SLN biopsy failure rate to 4.4% (43 of 979).Conclusions Survival of patients with FN results of SLN biopsy does not differ statistically significantly from that of patients undergoing CLND, although it is slightly lower. The SLN biopsy failure rate is approximately 5.0% in long-term follow-up and is associated mainly with the same factors that indicate a poor prognosis in primary melanoma.Preliminary results of this study were presented as an oral presentation during the Melanoma Session on the 59th Annual Cancer Symposium of the Society of Surgical Oncology, San Diego, CA, March 23–25, 2006.     

Correlation Between Prognostic Factors and Increasing Age in Melanoma

Background: Age of patients with melanoma varies directly with mortality and inversely with the presence of sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis. To gain further insight into this apparent paradox, we analyzed the relationship between age and other major prognostic factors.Methods: The Sunbelt Melanoma Trial is a prospective, randomized study with 79 institutions involving SLN biopsy for melanoma. Eligible patients were 18 to 70 years old with melanoma of 1.0-mm Breslow thickness and clinically N0 regional lymph nodes. SLNs were evaluated by serial histological sections and immunohistochemistry for S-100 protein.Results: A total of 3076 patients were enrolled in the study, with a median follow-up of 19 months. Five age groups were examined: 18 to 30, 31 to 40, 41 to 50, 51 to 60, and 61 to 70 years. Trends between age and several key prognostic factors was identified: as age group increased, so did Breslow thickness (analysis of variance; P < .001), the incidence of ulceration and regression, and the proportion of male patients (each variable: ², P < .001). The incidence of SLN metastasis, however, declined with increasing age (²; P < .001).Conclusions: As age increases, so does Breslow thickness, the incidence of ulceration and regression, and the proportion of male patients—all poor prognostic factors. However, the frequency of SLN metastasis declines with increasing age. It is not known whether this represents a decreased sensitivity (higher false-negative rate) of the SLN procedure in older patients or a different biological behavior (hematogenous spread) of melanomas in older patients.     

Severe Pericardial Effusion in Patients with Concurrent Malignancy: A Retrospective Analysis of Prognostic Factors Influencing Survival

Background  The treatment of massive and/or symptomatic pericardial effusion in patients with cancer remains a subject of discussion. Medical and surgical management have been proposed. In the present study, we aimed to determine the prognostic factors influencing survival of cancer patients admitted in intensive care unit (ICU) with severe pericardial effusion to better select the treatment strategies. Methods  All patients with cancer and massive or symptomatic pericardial effusion were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were followed up until death or last time known to be alive. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine prognostic factors influencing survival. Results  Between January 1999 and August 2004, 55 eligible patients were admitted in the ICU for pericardial effusion, including 30 with lung cancer, 9 with breast cancer, 5 with hematological malignancies, and 11 patients with other types of solid tumors. Forty-three patients underwent a surgical drainage. No operative death occurred. Four patients presented with an asymptomatic recurrence. Median survival of the entire group was 112 days. Survival rates for 1, 2, and 3 years were 27%, 17%, and 12%, respectively. In univariate analysis, the following variables were significantly associated with a reduced survival: histopathological diagnosis of malignant pericardial effusion, age (>60 years), the volume of pericardial effusion (<550 cc), and the cancer status (complete or partial response). After multivariate analysis, the cancer status was the only statistically significant clinical factor influencing overall survival (P = .005). Conclusion  In this series of patients presenting with severe pericardial effusion, the control of the underlying neoplasm was the only significant factor influencing survival and could be helpful in making decision to the optimal (invasive) treatment that should balance treatment efficacy with life expectancy.     

Survival Rates Among Patients Awaiting Deceased Donor Liver Transplants at a Single High-Volume Korean Center

Background

Since the establishment of the Korean Network for Organ Sharing (KONOS) in 2000, thousands of patients have been enrolled on the waiting list, but only a small proportion have received a deceased donor liver transplantation. This report on waiting list mortality in Korea based on data from a single institution.

Methods

The 1772 patients enrolled on the waiting list between February 2000 and December 2011 either have not yet received at the time of analysis or have died before receiving an organ. Survival information was obtained in February 2012 by reviewing medical records or by telephone. We excluded patients who died immediately after enrollment or after retransplantation.

Results

Primary diagnoses of those awaiting transplantation were hepatitis B virus-associated cirrhosis (63.7%), alcoholic liver disease (14.3%), hepatitis C virus-associated cirrhosis (13.8%), and acute liver failure due to other causes (8.1%). The priority status of patients on the waiting list was KONOS status 1 (highest priority) in 3.8%, status 2A in 3.9%, status 2B in 41.9%, status 3 to 7 (lowest priority) in 50.5%. Their median survival periods were 1, 1, 18, and 59 months, respectively. The mean Child-Pugh score was 8.5 ± 2.5 and Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score 18.1 ± 9.8.

Conclusions

Patients with high MELD scores or hepatocellular carcinoma succumbed soon after being entered on to the waiting list. By increasing organ donation rates and developing a risk-based allocation system, it should be possible to reduce mortality among patients on organ waiting lists.     

Stage-IV Melanoma and Pulmonary Metastases: Factors Predictive of Survival

Background We reviewed a contemporary, single-institution experience to evaluate the natural history of stage-IV melanoma metastatic to the lung and identify factors predictive of survival. Methods A search of our prospective database was performed to identify patients with stage-IV melanoma and pulmonary metastases as the initial disease site; only patients seen at our institution prior to developing stage-IV disease and in whom treatment response was available were included. Patients’ demographic, clinical, and treatment variables were recorded. Cox regression was used to identify factors independently predictive of survival. Results The study cohort was comprised of 122 patients. Median survival was 14 months (5-year survival of 8%). Clinical factors at time of diagnosis of stage IV independently predictive of survival were a solitary pulmonary metastasis (HR 2.7, CI 1.6–4.4, P<0.0005) and absence of extra-pulmonary disease (HR 1.9, CI 1.2–3.1, P = 0.01). Among treatment factors, only metastasectomy was independently predictive of survival (HR 0.42, CI 0.21–0.87, P = 0.02). Of the patients, 26 (21%) underwent metastasectomy, with a median survival of 40 months compared with 13 months in patients not selected for surgical treatment. Of these 26, 23 (88%) experienced recurrence at a median of 5 months after the procedure. No survival difference was seen between responders and non-responders to systemic therapy (P = 0.55). Conclusions In stage-IV melanoma with pulmonary metastases, a solitary metastasis and absence of extra-pulmonary disease are predictive of survival. While these factors are often present in patients selected for pulmonary metastasectomy, this independently predicts survival. However, response to systemic therapy does not correlate with a survival difference.     

Prognostic Factors and 10-Year Survival in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Curative Hepatectomy

Purpose  

There were contrary results about the effects of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positivity on the long-term survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative resection.     

Immunologic Prognostic Factors of Renal Allograft Survival

IntroductionSuccessful outcome of renal transplantation depends on various factors, of which immunologic is one of the most important. Accumulated experience of a single center, with the same surgical and immunological team contributes significantly to safe conclusions. Purpose of this study was the evaluation of potential factors, in particular immunologic, that influence renal allograft survival.Patients and MethodsDuring the period 1991–2013, 20,784 surgical operations have been performed in our Department of Surgery – Transplant Unit, of which 575 were renal transplantations. We examined donor and recipient demographic factors, immunologic characteristics along with patient and graft survival.ResultsRenal allograft was retrieved from living-related donor in 103 cases and in 472 from cadaveric donor. Donor age was 46.7 ± 18.5 years old and 49.9% (287) were male. Recipient age was 48 ± 12.3 years old and 402 were male. HLA histocompatibility was carefully matched resulting in 85.5% renal transplants with 2–4 HLA mismatches and 93.8% renal transplants with at least one HLA-DR. Renal graft survival the first, fifth and tenth year was 89%, 76%, and 67% and patient survival was respectively 95%, 89% and 83%. Statistical analysis revealed that only donor age influenced renal graft survival (P < .05). HLA mismatches were not correlated with graft survival (log rank P = .495), but identification of panel reactive antibodies (PRA) class I and class II post transplantation had a statistically significant impact on long term renal graft survival (log rank P < .001 and P = .021, accordingly).ConclusionsAnalysis of potential prognostic factor showed that only donor age was correlated with allograft survival. Development of PRA following renal transplantation influenced long term graft survival. Good HLA matching with at least one HLA DR resulted in excellent graft and patient survival.     

Living or Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation: A Comparison of Results and Survival Rates Among Iranian Patients

Objective

Kidney transplantation is the selective treatment of end-stage renal disease. Although most previous studies have concluded that living kidney donation achieves better graft survival, some factors may limit this type of donation. This study investigated the survival rates of living and deceased donor kidney transplantations among Iranian patients.

Materials and Methods

The records of kidney transplantations up to year 2005 were used to compare 50 deceased (group I) with 50 living donor transplants (group II). The recipients were matched by transplantation time. We used SPSS version 15 software to analyze the data.

Results

Group I patients included 28 males and 22 females of mean age of 38 ± 13 years, while 26 males and 24 females in group II had a mean age of 34.6 ± 14 years. The rejection and graft nephrectomy rates were significantly higher among group I than group II (P = .01, P = .02). The first-year graft survival was higher in group II (P = .001). The graft survival was significantly lower in recipients who needed a biopsy or dialysis (P = .006 and P = .02, respectively) and higher among those who had a urine volume >4200 mL within the first 24 hours after transplantation (P = .003). Patient survivals were not significantly different between the groups.

Conclusion

Living donor kidney transplantations showed higher graft survival and lower acute rejection rates compared with those from deceased donors.     

Prognostic Factors for Survival in Patients With Locally Recurrent Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Background Factors prognostic for survival in patients with locally recurrent extremity soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are poorly defined, thus making it difficult to identify high-risk patients who may benefit from adjuvant therapy.Methods A total of 1421 patients underwent surgical treatment for primary extremity STS at a single institution between 1982 and 2002. Of these, 179 (13%) patients underwent complete surgical resection of an isolated local recurrence and were the subjects of this study. Clinicopathologic factors from both the primary tumor and the local recurrence were analyzed.Results The median interval to initial local recurrence was 16 months: 65% developed a local recurrence by 2 years and 90% by 4 years. Only four patients who presented with a low-grade primary tumor progressed to a high-grade local recurrence. Independent prognostic factors for disease-specific survival after local recurrence were a high histological grade (hazard ratio, 5.1; P = .0004), a large local recurrence tumor size (hazard ratio, 1.5; P = .0001), and a short local recurrence–free interval (hazard ratio, 1.6; P = .0001). Patients who developed a local recurrence >5 cm in 16 months (n = 44; 0 low grade) had a 4-year disease-specific survival of 18%, compared with 81% for patients who developed a local recurrence 5 cm in >16 months (n = 46; 11 low grade).Conclusions Histological grade, local recurrence size, and local recurrence–free interval are independently predictive of survival in patients with locally recurrent extremity STS. A large local recurrence that develops in a short interval indicates a biologically aggressive tumor with a high tumor-specific mortality. Patients who develop such recurrences are ideal subjects for systemic neoadjuvant therapy trials.     

Factors Affecting Survival After Complete Response to Isolated Limb Perfusion in Patients With In-Transit Melanoma

Background: Isolated limb perfusion ILP results in complete response CR rates of 60% to 90% in patients with regionally advanced melanoma. Survival after a CR may be influenced by various factors, particularly out-of-field disease in iliac lymph nodes ILN identified during lower-extremity ILP. We examined clinical and pathological parameters, including ILN status and outcome, for patients with in-transit melanoma who had a CR to ILP.Methods: From May 1992 to July 1997, 50 patients 16 men and 34 women; median age, 57 years with stage IIIA or IIIAB melanoma had a CR to a 90-minute hyperthermic iliac ILP with melphalan 10 mg/L limb volume, n = 20 or melphalan and tumor necrosis factor 4–6 mg ± 200 g interferon; n = 30. Clinical and pathological parameters were analyzed by univariate and Cox proportional hazards models to determine which were associated with survival or in-field recurrence.Results: The median in-field recurrence–free survival in the cohort of 50 patients after a CR to ILP was 1.4 years, and the actuarial 5-year in-field recurrence–free survival was 30%. By univariate analysis, there was a trend for improved outcome with female sex and stage IIIA vs. IIIAB at initial diagnosis was associated with improved survival after a CR to ILP P = .056 and .012, respectively. Eleven 22% of 50 patients had positive ILNs identified and resected at ILP. The probability of overall in-field recurrence was 70% after 4 years, and there was no difference between those with or without positive ILNs; median time to in-field recurrence was 13 and 19 months, respectively P = .62. Similarly, overall survival was not influenced by positive ILN status median [months]: +ILN, 69 vs. –ILN, 58; P = .68. Of note, Cox models identified that the risk of death was significantly greater in those with a history of prior systemic therapy hazard ratio: 2.67 [95% confidence interval, 1.17–6.11]; P = .02 and those with an in-transit lesion size l.4 cm² hazard ratio, 3.12 [95% confidence interval, 1.30–7.5]; P = .011. When these two variables were combined, there was a highly significant association with shortened survival P = .002 by log-rank test.Conclusions: These data indicate that for patients undergoing ILP and in whom positive ILNs are found and resected, ILP is justified. In addition, patients who have a CR after ILP and have a history of prior treatment or larger lesions should be considered for adjuvant systemic therapy.Presented at the 54th Annual Meeting of the Society of Surgical Oncology, Washington, DC, from March 15–18, 2001.