Abstract

AIMS
To establish whether microscopic angiotropism of melanoma cells correlates with microscopic satellite (MS) formation in cutaneous melanomas and thus is likely to explain the development of MS.
MATERIALS AND RESULTS
Patients with MS and controls without MS from 1996 to 2009 were evaluated for the presence or absence of angiotropism. MS was defined as a dermal/subcutaneous tumour nodule >0.05 mm, separated from the primary tumour by at least 0.3 mm. Forty four cases and controls were matched for tumour thickness, mitotic rate, ulceration, age, gender and primary site. Angiotropism (23 of 44, 52%) and absent regression (19 of 44, 43%) were significantly more frequent in melanomas with MS than in those without MS (controls) (12 of 44, 27%) (P = 0.017) and (32 of 44, 73%) (P = 0.005), respectively. Factors correlating with angiotropism included increased Clark level (P = 0.046), regression absence (P = 0.02) and MS (P = 0.017). On multivariable analysis, MS formation was predicted by angiotropism (P = 0.026), Clark level V (P = 0.01), absent regression (P = 0.009) and acral site (P = 0.02).
CONCLUSIONS
Angiotropism predicts MS development. These data provide additional evidence for the importance of angiotropism as a means of melanoma metastasis.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Wilmott J, Haydu L, Bagot M, Zhang Y, Jakrot V, McCarthy S, Lugassy C, Thompson J, Scolyer R, Barnhill R

Institution

Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Source

Histopathology 61:5 2012 Nov pg 889-98

MeSH

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Case-Control Studies
Female
Humans
Male
Melanoma
Microvessels
Middle Aged
Neoplasm Invasiveness
Neoplasm Micrometastasis
Skin Neoplasms

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22716270