Prognostic Significance of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Expression in Distant Metastatic Melanoma from Primary Cutaneous Melanoma

BACKGROUND: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in many cancers. However, EGFR expression in melanoma and its role are conflicting. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate EGFR expression in distant metastatic melanoma and analyze its relationship with histologic and clinical characteristics and survival. METHODS: Diagnostic tissues from 55 cases of distant metastatic melanoma was evaluated by immunohistochemistry for EGFR expression. Clinicopathologic features and survival outcomes were analyzed according to EGFR expression. RESULTS: The positive EGFR expression in distant metastatic melanoma was significantly correlated with the absence of ulceration. The EGFR expression in distant metastatic melanoma was significantly associated with poor survival, under the conditions of male sex and primary cutaneous melanoma without ulceration or Breslow thickness ≤4.0 mm. This study bears limitations of a retrospective study in a single institution. CONCLUSION: EGFR immunostaining had predictive values for survival outcome. The EGFR expression in distant metastatic melanoma in male, no ulcer, or Breslow thickness ≤4.0 mm appeared to be involved in disease progression.