Histological Characteristics of Metastasizing Thin Melanomas

The most com-mon site for metastasis was the regionallymphnodes, affected in 23 patients, and the back and shoulder were the mostcom-mon locations for lesions, affecting in 21 patients (49%) (Fig.).

Abstract

).Thebackandshoulderwerethemostcom-mon locations for lesions, affected in 21(49%) patients. The second most com-monlocationwasthelowerextremity(10patients), followed by the upper extrem-ity and chest, occurring in 4 patients ineachlocation.Twohadlesionsontheearsand1patienteachhadlesionsonthescalpand abdomen. Staging performed at thetime of diagnosis revealed 27 (63%) pa-tients without clinical evidence of metas-tasis (stage I). Lymph node metastases(stage III) were detected in 12 (28%) pa-tients.Fourpatients(9%)haddistantme-tastasis (stage IV) at the time of presen-tation. Eventually, metastases weredetected in every patient. The most com-mon site for metastasis was the regionallymphnodes,affectedin23patients.Ninepatientshadmetastasistomorethan1lym-phatic region or had lymphatic metasta-