1. What is Melanoma Survival Rate?

The melanoma survival rate estimates the percentage of people with similar characteristics (stage, thickness, ulceration) who survive for a specific time (usually 5 years) after diagnosis. It's based on AJCC (American Joint Committee on Cancer) staging criteria.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses AJCC melanoma staging criteria incorporating:

Where:

• Stage — AJCC melanoma stage (I-IV)
• Thickness — Breslow thickness in millimeters
• Ulceration — Presence or absence of ulceration

Explanation: The calculation incorporates the most important prognostic factors in melanoma according to current AJCC guidelines.

3. Importance of Survival Rate Calculation

Details: Understanding survival rates helps in treatment planning, patient counseling, and clinical decision-making. However, individual prognosis may vary based on additional factors.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the melanoma stage (I-IV), Breslow thickness in mm, and ulceration status. All values must be valid (stage 1-4, thickness > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is Breslow thickness?
A: It's the vertical thickness of the melanoma measured in millimeters from the top of the granular layer to the deepest point of invasion.

Q2: Why is ulceration important?
A: Ulceration is a negative prognostic factor that can upstage melanoma and decrease survival rates.

Q3: Are these survival rates accurate for all patients?
A: These are population averages. Individual prognosis depends on many factors including treatment response, immune status, and specific tumor biology.

Q4: What other factors affect melanoma survival?
A: Mitotic rate, lymph node involvement, distant metastases, LDH levels, and genetic mutations can all impact survival.

Q5: How often are survival rates updated?
A: AJCC updates staging guidelines periodically (currently 8th edition) based on new research and survival data.