RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Melanoma of the vulva is the second most common vulvar cancer after epidermoid carcinoma. Patients suffering from this disease usually present with a late-stage disease with a poor prognosis. The prognostic factors reported in previous studies are not homogeneous and the clinical/pathogenic role of c-KIT expression is not clear. Breslow staging currently is the most accurate predictor factor. METHODS: A clinicopathological study with literature review was performed to identify predictors of prognosis and survival in melanoma of the vulva and investigated the expression of c-KIT (by immunohistochemistry) in 10 patients from the National Institute for Cancer Research (Mexico City). RESULTS: The 10 patients enrolled were all older women with delayed presentation, high-stage disease and limited response to treatment. Five patients (50%) were found to have c-KIT expression; 4 of them recurred (P=0.01), and ultimately 3 died (P=0.038). We identified satellitosis and c-KIT expression as prognostic predictors for death. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that c-KIT expression is a valuable predictor of prognosis and survival, especially in thick (>4 mm) melanomas.
