13 Feb The risk of skin cancer metastasis increases with tumor thickness

The experts concluded that a greater thickness increased the risk of metastasis up to five times The risk of metastasis and recurrence of skin cancer increases significantly if the tumor is larger than 6 millimeters thick and if it is located in the ear, according to a study published in the online version of Lancet Oncology. According to research conducted by German scientists, also influence the likelihood of spread of squamous cell carcinoma (skin cancer) and the presence of a recurrence plastic demo tumor (abnormal tissue formation, excessive and uncoordinated) and suppression immune. Skin cancer is among those who are more likely to spread to other parts of the body, says the medical journal. Scientists Kay Brantsch and Helmut Breuninger Department of Dermatology, Eberhard Karls University of Tubingen

in Germany, analyzed the factors that predict the metastasis and recurrence. The researchers examined the cases of 615 patients who had undergone surgery between 1990 and 2001 in one center in Germany. They did a complete analysis from tumors-thickness, horizontal size, the shape of cells and tissue, and also considered the place of the body that had arisen, the record of epidermal cancer and tumors of plastic demo patients and the degree of immune suppression. Also measured the time elapsed between diagnosis of first tumor and the diagnosis of metastasis or recurrence. The 615 patients, ages 27 to 98 years, were followed for an average of 43 months. During that time, 26 patients, 4 per cent, experienced a metastasis, while disease recurred in 20 of them, 3 per cent. They found that tumors of 2 mm or less did not spread. However, there was metastasis in 12 of 318 tumors between 2.1 and 6 mm thick (4 percent), and in 14 of 90 tumors with a thickness greater than 6 millimeters (16 per cent). The experts concluded that a greater thickness increased the risk of metastasis up to five times, and immune system suppression (4.3-fold increased risk), the location on the ear (3.6 times) and increased horizontal size (more twice the risk). The increased risk of recurrence than tumor thickness (up to six times) and desmoplasia (16 times), experts say. In its conclusions, the scientists recommended clinical monitoring and ultrasound every three to four months for four years for patients with more risk, while recognizing that we must see the benefits for patients of this action