Mitotic rate in node-positive stage III melanoma: it might be as important a prognostic factor as node number.

Abstract

Background: Stage III melanoma is a heterogenous disease, and the number of tumor-involved lymph nodes is the most significantly unfavorable prognostic indicator for relapse and outcome. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible effects of the various clinicopathological factors on the course of node-positive stage III disease.