Prognostic Importance of the Extent of Ulceration in Patients With Clinically Localized Cutaneous Melanoma

Abstract

Extent of ulceration (measured either as diameter or percentage of tumor width) provides more accurate prognostic information than the mere presence of ulceration. This has potential implications for melanoma patients with regard to prognosis, staging, management, and eligibility for clinical trials. We recommend that extent of ulceration be recorded in pathology reports for all ulcerated primary cutaneous melanomas.