Publication: A multicentre study of clinicopathological features and prognostic factors of cutaneous melanoma in Malaysia
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Date
2020
Authors
Yuan, Lee Jia
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer with high mortality rate. This study aimed to describe the clinicopathological characteristics and to identify the independent prognostic factors and median survival time of patients diagnosed with primary cutaneous melanoma in Malaysia. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This was a retrospective study conducted in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah and Hospital Queen Elizabeth I, Malaysia. All traceable medical records on patients with primary cutaneous melanoma between January 2012 till December 2018 were investigated based on the demographic data, histopathological and management. Median survival time was analysed using Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors associated with survival were performed. RESULTS: Nighty-nine patients were included and analysed. The mean age during diagnosis was 60.4 years old, with female: male ratio of 1:1.1. Majority of the patients were Malays (52%) and 44.4% had clinical stage II on presentation. Nodular melanoma was the commonest subtype (50.5%) in Malaysia. Histologically, the mean Breslow thickness was 7.9 mm. The median survival time was 673 days. The 1-, 3-, 5- year survival rates were 47.5%, 11.1% and 15.2%. Mitotic rate and Breslow thickness were independent risk factors for poor prognosis (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Most patients with cutaneous melanoma in Malaysia diagnosed with locally advanced disease and had poorer prognosis as compared to other Asia countries. Much work is needed to create an awareness of cutaneous melanoma based on the local data for early detection and treatment
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Keywords
Cutaneous melanoma , Prognostic factors