DNA ploidy and S-phase in primary malignant melanoma as prognostic factors for stage III disease

• Published in: British journal of cancer Vol. 67; no. 1; pp. 134 - 138
• Main Authors: KARLSSON, M, BOERYD, B, CARSTENSEN, J, KÅGEDAL, B, BRATEL, A. T, WINGREN, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basingstoke Nature Publishing Group 01.01.1993
• Subjects: Aged; Aneuploidy; Biological and medical sciences; Dermatology; Diploidy; DNA, Neoplasm - genetics; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Melanoma - genetics; Melanoma - pathology; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Ploidies; Prognosis; S Phase - physiology; Tumors of the skin and soft tissue. Premalignant lesions; Human; Flow cytometry; Skin disease; Prognosis; DNA; S Phase; Cell cycle; Malignant melanoma; Exploration; Skin; Malignant tumor; Survival
• ISSN: 0007-0920; 1532-1827
• DOI: 10.1038/bjc.1993.23

In 82 patients with stage III malignant melanoma, the primary tumours were investigated by DNA flow cytometry. The tumours were classified as DNA diploid (n = 36), tetraploid (n = 11) and aneuploid (n = 35). By univariate analysis a significant correlation with post-recurrence survival was found for time to first metastasis, DNA-ploidy and S-phase fraction. By multivariate analysis, significant prognostic variables were found to be the time to first metastasis (P = 0.006), and ploidy (P = 0.011). Patients with diploid melanomas and a long recurrence-free interval had a median post-recurrence survival time of 45 months compared to 18 months in patients with DNA aneuploid tumours and an early recurrence. The S-phase could be estimated in 47 primary melanomas and was found to be a significant prognostic variable (P = 0.017). The median survival was 45 months for patients with melanomas with a S-phase fraction below 5%, and 19 months for melanomas with S-phase above 10%. The prognostic value of the S-phase remained significant even after adjustment for recurrence-free interval and DNA ploidy.