Mitotic rate correlates with sentinel lymph node status and outcome in cutaneous melanoma greater than 1 millimeter in thickness: A multi-institutional study of 1524 cases.

Background: The 7th edition of the TNM American Joint Committee on Cancer classification incorporates mitotic rate (MR) only for primary cutaneous melanoma (PCM) with Breslow thickness (BT) ≤1 mm.

Objective: To investigate whether and to what extent MR is able to predict sentinel lymph node (SLN) status and clinical outcome of PCM patients with BT >1 mm.

Methods: The study included consecutive patients with PCM.

Multiple primary melanomas (MPMs) and criteria for genetic assessment: MultiMEL, a multicenter study of the Italian Melanoma Intergroup.

Background: Multiple primary melanoma (MPM), in concert with a positive family history, is a predictor of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) germline mutations. A rule regarding the presence of either 2 or 3 or more cancer events (melanoma and pancreatic cancer) in low or high melanoma incidence populations, respectively, has been established to select patients for genetic referral.

Objective: We sought to determine the CDKN2A/CDK4/microphthalmia-associated transcription factor mutation rate among Italian patients with MPM to appropriately direct genetic counseling regardless of family history.