Age as predictor in patients with cutaneous melanoma submitted to sentinel lymph node biopsy

Aims To analyse the age as prognostic factor exploring the melanoma database at the National Cancer Institute in Naples. Methods Three hundred and ninety-nine patients with cutaneous melanoma were treated with sentinel lymph node biopsy from 1996 to 2003 at the National Cancer Institute of Naples. The results were analysed with particular attention to the overall survival among patients younger or older than 50 years of age. Results No differences were recorded between the younger and older group in terms of the identification rate and incidence of metastases. The analyses of disease-free survival and overall survival showed a significantly more favourable outcome in younger patients. The 5-year overall survival and the 5-year disease free survival were 81.8% vs. 68.0% and 76.3% vs. 59.1% for the younger and older group, respectively. Conclusions The results suggest that in the management of cutaneous melanoma, age might be considered as prognostic factor both for disease free survival and overall survival.