Predictors of Occult Nodal Metastasis in Patients With Thin Melanoma

Abstract

The incidence of melanoma has increased during the past several decades faster than virtually any other malignant tumor.¹ Approximately 70% of new cases of melanoma are thin lesions, less than 1 mm in thickness.^2,3 Patients with these lesions are generally considered to be at low risk for metastasis and melanoma-related death. However, it is well known that a portion of this group will eventually experience disease recurrence and risk death from melanoma. Because of the high number of cases, even a relatively small proportion of disease recurrence will lead to a large absolute number of recurrences in thin melanoma.