Melanoma Research – Sex differences in survival of cutaneous melanoma are age dependent

Came across an interesting article in the latest issue of the Melanoma Research journal regarding differences in survival rates based on sex. It has been previously observed that women have a better survival rate for melanoma than men. This has also been observed in other cancers such as lung adenocarcinoma and colon cancer.

 

The study reveals that the slight survival benefit women with melanoma experience, disappears after the age of 60. This is mirrored, but also conflicts with other studies referenced within the article.

Proposed reasons for this female survival benefit include women being more prudent in the personal examination of the skin, women having a greater percentage of lower limbs melanomas which are associated with a better prognosis and immune gender differences.

Below is a link to the article abstract

http://journals.lww.com/melanomaresearch/Abstract/2011/06000/Sex_differences_in_survival_of_cutaneous_melanoma.11.aspx

 I recommend getting the whole article if it is possible.

 Thanks for reading and I welcome any comments.

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Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma – Overview

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is defined by the World Health Organisation as ‘a malignant neoplasm of epidermal (and mucous membrane) keratinocytes in which the component cells show variable squamous differentiation.’

 

Most SCCs appear on the areas of the skin which get the most sun exposure though this is not the only place which the can arise. SCCs can also arise on mucosal areas such as on the lip. Patients who have a pale complexion and those who do not tan readily are at a greater risk. SCC is very uncommon in the Black population.

The most important causative agent is sun exposure, more correctly UVB radiation. Others factors that have been incriminated include human papilloma virus (HPV) infection, ulcers, immunosuppression and radiotherapy. Patients with organ transplants are also at a greater risk. SCC can be fatal in some cases (most commonly found in Australia) giving rise to the notion that sun exposure, which causes DNA damage and also suppresses the skin immune system, plays a lead role in the cause of aggressive SCCs. 

As sun exposure is the major cause factor of SCC, it is no surprise that the forehead, ears, scalp, face, neck, back of the hands and lips are the most common places to find SCCs on the human body.

SCCs commonly appear as plaques/nodules with an elevated/indurated, crusty surface. The areas immediately surrounding the SCC show the typical signs of sun damage.

I have previously blogged about the prognostic factors of SCC, please click on the link to see more (Prognostic Factors of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma)

Thanks for reading and I welcome any comments.

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Prognostic Factors of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Below is a brief description of the prognostic factors involved with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, ie. SCC of the skin.

Site

The actual site of the SCC provides much prognostic information, most importantly that SCCs from sites such as the ear, lip and sole have an increased rate of metastasis.

Size

The physical size of the tumour is also related to prognosis, generally speaking the larger the tumour the poorer the prognosis.

Invasion

If the SCC is seen to be invasive this reflects a poorer prognosis. The actual depth of invasion is again prognostic, ie. the deeper the invasion, the poorer the prognosis.

Tumour differentiation

Histologically SCCs are graded for their differentiation with them being either well, moderately or poorly differentiated. The poorer the tumour differentiation, the poorer the prognosis.

Other

There are many other factors which can affect the prognosis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma including immune status of the patient, HPV infection status, age and genetic predisposition.

Thanks for reading

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Melanoma – Prognostic Factors – Quick Overview

Listed below are the most important prognostic factors with regard to cutaneous melanoma.

AGE – the older the patient, the poorer the prognosis.

SEX – generally females have a better prognosis than males.

BODY SITE – melanomas on the extremities (eg. legs and arms) have a better prognosis than those on the neck, trunk and face.

INVOLVEMENT OF LYMPH NODES – presence of tumour lymph node involvement has a poorer prognosis. Generally the more nodes involved the poorer the prognosis.

TUMOUR THICKNESS – the thicker the melanoma the poorer the prognosis.

ULCERATION – the presence of ulceration indicates a poorer prognosis.

MITOTIC RATE – the higher the mitotic rate the poorer the prognosis.

REGRESSION – presence of regression in thin melanomas indicates a poorer prognosis.

There are a few other prognostic factors such as Clarks level, tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, BRAF mutations and LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) serum level.

Many thanks for reading and please leave any comments you wish.

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