Clinical and prognostic factors in 98 patients with malignant melanoma in China

OBJECTIVE: To investigate clinical and prognostic factors in patients with malignant melanoma (MM) in China. METHODS: A total of 98 MM patients were enrolled in the study. Enumeration data were analyzed using Fisher’s exact probability tests or χ(2) tests. Survival rates were calculated using log-rank tests. A Cox multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine independent prognostic factors. RESULTS: The male: female incidence ratio was 1.88:1. The highest incidence rate was seen in the 45–65 year age group. Primary lesion ulceration was seen in 60.2% of patients. The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 85.7%, 34.7% and 13.3%, respectively. In univariate analyses, the 5-year survival rate in patients was significantly associated with ulceration (P < 0.01), clinical stage (P < 0.01) and surgical excision of the tumor (P < 0.01). Cox multivariate regression analysis confirmed that ulceration and clinical stage were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Some clinical characteristics of MM patients in China are significantly different from those of patients in Western countries. Ulceration and clinical stage are independent risk factors for poor survival in MM patients.