Biopsy Type and Metastatic Recurrence in Melanoma: A Cohort Study
October 2026 | Volume 25 | Issue 10 | 909 | Copyright © October 2026
Published online September 24, 2026
Meng QingYin MDa*, Fu Yu MDb*, Mohammad Mussab Umair MDc*, Peng QingLan PhDd, Guo JiYin MDf, Ding HaiYan MDf, Zhang JinPing MDe, Chen Yun MDa*, Xue YuanBo MDf*
aDepartment of Pathology, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
bDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Alxa League Central Hospital, Inner Mongolia, China
cCancer Biotherapy Center and Cancer Research Institute, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
dCollege of Medicine and Health Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
eMedical Record Room, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
fCancer Biotherapy Center, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
Abstract
Background: Melanoma is a dynamic health problem caused by deteriorating melanocytes that generate aberrant melanin that gives color to the skin. It remains the leading cause of death from skin cancer. The incidence and mortality rates of melanoma emphasize the need for a suitable diagnostic biopsy, which is important for the optimal treatment of newly observed melanoma patients.
Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the presence of melanoma metastases, mitotic rate, ulceration, and Breslow thickness, which are the most significant predictors of mortality from melanoma and are important for the diagnosis and optimal treatment of newly diagnosed melanoma patients.
Methods: A cohort of 56 patients diagnosed with melanoma in the upper or lower limbs between 2020 and 2024 was analyzed to investigate whether partial biopsies influence melanoma metastasis. All patients underwent biopsy followed by complete resection and were followed for 3 years. We evaluated clinical characteristics, including Breslow thickness, surgical excision width, CLARK grade, ulcer presence, vascular invasion, and biopsy-excision interval, for their influence on recurrence time. The relationships between these factors and recurrence were assessed using the rank sum test and Spearman correlation analysis.
Results: The results revealed that all patients had metastasis at varying intervals post-surgery, with different patterns observed between upper and lower limb melanomas. However, the correlation between recurrence duration and the analyzed characteristics was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: Thus, our current revelations conclude that complete resection of the tumor lesions is sufficient for patients diagnosed with melanoma after biopsy, and extended resection is unnecessary.
INTRODUCTION
Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer caused by deteriorating melanocytes that generate aberrant melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. It remains the leading cause of death from skin cancer and is expected to rise globally in the upcoming years.1,2 Tumor features such as the presence of metastases, mitotic rate, ulceration, and Breslow thickness are the most significant predictors of mortality from melanoma.2 The incidence and mortality rates of melanoma emphasize the need for a suitable diagnostic biopsy, which is important for the optimal treatment of newly observed melanoma patients. In parallel, the tumor characteristics of the initial melanoma provide physicians with crucial prognostic and staging information, as well as guidance for treatment.3,4
The selection of a particular biopsy approach has been found to depend on the size and location of the pigmented lesion, as well as the observations and experience of the physician (Sharma et al). In terms of surgical care, guidelines recommend performing a
