Melanoma in the very elderly, management in patients 85 years of age and over

Abstract

Objectives: Melanoma treatment in the elderly can entail complex decision making. This study characterizes the presentation, management, and outcome of melanoma in the very elderly. Method: Retrospective review of all patients in their 85th year or older presenting to a tertiary referral cancer centre between 2000 and 2012 with American Joint Committee on Cancer stages 0–II cutaneous melanoma. Results: 127 patients, 26 with in-situ disease and 101 with stages I–II disease, were included. For invasive primary disease, the median age was 87 years (IRQ = 86–89). Most patients had melanomas with poor prognoses at diagnosis: 49.5% were ulcerated, 68.3% mitotically active (mitotic rate ≥ 1), and t..