Melanoma survival linked to tumor thickness
Source: Medical Xpress, December 2024
Researchers at The University of Sydney have identified a significant increase in melanoma-related death risk for patients with thin primary tumors measuring between 0.8 and 1.0 millimeters compared to those with thinner lesions.
Longstanding population-based data show thin cutaneous melanomas, usually defined as 1.0 millimeter or less, represent up to 72% of all melanomas by thickness. Australia, with the world’s highest incidence of melanoma, has maintained extensive cancer registries for decades, providing a unique context in which thin melanomas are widely recognized and routinely monitored.
Knowing how subtle increments in thickness correlate with survival outcomes could provide a clinical assessment rationale for long-term monitoring and management.