Mitotic rate in node-positive stage III melanoma: it might be as important a prognostic factor as node number

Abstract Background Stage III melanoma is a heterogenous disease, and the number of tumor-involved lymph nodes most significantly unfavorable prognostic indicator for relapse outcome. The aim this study to investigate possible effects various clinicopathological factors on course node-positive stage disease. Methods A total 389 cutaneous melanomas were included in analyzed retrospectively. All underwent pathological nodal staging by sentinel node biopsy or elective dissection. Results group was male-dominant (59%) median age 50 years. largest patients N1 (n = 221, 56.8%) followed N2 105, 27.0%) N3 63, 16.2%). less frequently associated with relapses than multiple metastases (P 0.05). 5-year relapse-free survival rate 37.9%. 0.01), higher mitotic 0.005) ulceration 0.02) had worse RFS. In multivariate analysis only significances N2–N3 0.016) mitosis 0.012) persisted. severe metastasis (N2–N3) mortality comparison single involvement overall 52.1%. Presence 0.0001), 0.03) 0.04) inversely correlated survival. When analysis, it significant factor whereas became exclusion from 0.031). Conclusion melanoma, tumor might be just as metastatic number.