03 Sep Microscopic Regression in Thin Melanoma May Be Good Prognostic Sign

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Simone Ribero,  M.D., Ph.D. 
University of Turin
Department of Medical Sciences
Turin Italy and
King’s College London
Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology
St Thomas’ campus London, UK

Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Response: The histologic regression is a discussed feature and its prognostic role is debated in literature. Our group has previously described a favorable prognostic role of histological regression in stage I-II melanoma patients. Some clinicians still perform Sentinel Lymph Node biopsy on the basis of regression in thin melanoma considering this feature as able to underestimate Breslow Thickness.

In this study we described in a metanalyses with more then 10000 melanoma patients that histological regression is inversely associated with Sentinel Lymph Node positivity.

Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Response: Clinicians should, on the basis of this study, interpret the regression as a favorable factor, and don’t look at it as an increase risk of lymph node metastases.

Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: Future research on molecular biology of regression are needed to demonstrate what we clinically assist, so that regression could potentially be a marker of immune system status in primary melanoma.

Citation: 

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Simone Ribero, M.D., Ph.D. (2015). Microscopic Regression in Thin Melanoma May Be Good Prognostic Sign 

Last Updated on September 3, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD