What Has New Research Identified in Low-Risk Melanoma?

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1. You are a member of the healthcare team advising a large dermatologic oncology practice about melanoma outcomes. Based on the analysis of classification and regression tree and logistic regression models using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data by Eguchi and colleagues, which one of the following statements about subsets of melanoma patients with very low risk for death is correct?
   In all models, younger age at diagnosis and male sex were associated with lower mortality
   In the simplest model (1A), patients younger than 70 years at diagnosis with Clark level II invasion (35% of patients) had 1.5% risk for melanoma death
   In model 1B, patients with Clark level II and age 43 years or younger or 44 to 69 years with Breslow thickness less than 0.40 mm (25% of patients) had 0.40% death risk within 10 years
   The logistic regression model (model 2) identified subsets of patients with low risk for death, but not high risk
2. According to the analysis of classification and regression tree and logistic regression models using SEER data by Eguchi and colleagues, which one of the following statements about clinical implications of subsets of patients with melanoma with very low risk for death that may be contributing to overdiagnosis is correct?
   The findings support further development of classification criteria and potential use of an alternative term such as melanocytic neoplasms of low malignant potential (MNLMP)
   Breslow thickness was an essential factor in all models and was included in the final model
   The study proves that all patients classified as stage I have an excellent prognosis
   The study proves that not all patients need tumor removal