Prognostic parameters in recurrent malignant melanoma

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Abstract
In 361 patients with recurrent malignant melanoma, the clinical stage was the strongest determinant of subsequent survival (P < 0.01). In Stage IV, the number of initial, distinct lesions was important. Patients presenting with a single metastatic nodule had median survival ten months, whereas those with two or more metastatic nodules had median survival 6.9 months (P < 0.05). The length of disease-free interval from excision of the primary to recurrence correlated consistently with subsequent survival in patients with regional lymph node metastases. Those with disease-free interval less than one year had median survival 15.8 months with 16% surviving at five years, while those with interval one year or longer had median survival 23.7 months with 30% surviving at five years (P < 0.05). In Stage IV, the correlation of survival with disease-free interval became significant only with 24 months as the demarcation point of length of disease-free interval. Age and sex affected the disease-free interval, but not survival after recurrence.