Clinical and Histopathological Parameters in Melanoma

Found within a thorough dermatopathology report, factors such as (1) age; (2) anatomic location; (3) gender; (4) Breslow thickness; (5) Clark anatomic level; (6) tumor volume; (7) cross-sectional profile; (8) ulceration; (9) mitotic rate; (10) growth phase; (11) presence or absence of regression; (12) host inflammatory response; (13) tumor vascularity; (14) vascular invasion; (15) angiotropism; (16) histologic tumor type; (17) cytologic variation; (18) desmoplasia; (19) neurotropic factors; (20) cytologic atypia; (21) borderline melanocytic lesions; (22) association with a benign melanocytic nevus; (23) paratumoral epidermal hyperplasia; and (24) satellite and/or in-transit metastasis can provide further insight into prognosis for patients with melanoma. This chapter will provide a thorough review of the significance of each of the predictive factors listed above, as well as how they may be interpreted and used by the clinician to guide appropriate therapy and patient education.