Where does malignant melanoma metastasize to?

From the Guidelines

Malignant melanoma most commonly metastasizes to the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, brain, bones, and gastrointestinal tract, with the pattern of spread influenced by the cancer's aggressive nature and ability to invade blood vessels and lymphatics. When considering the metastasis of malignant melanoma, it is essential to understand the typical sites of spread and the factors that influence this process. The lymph nodes, lungs, liver, brain, bones, and gastrointestinal tract are the most common sites of metastasis, with the lymph nodes often being the first site of spread due to the lymphatic system's role in draining the skin 1.

Common Sites of Metastasis

• Lymph nodes: The primary site of metastasis, with cancer cells spreading through the lymphatic system.
• Lungs: A frequent site of distant metastasis, with cancer cells reaching the lungs via the bloodstream.
• Liver: Another common site of distant metastasis, with cancer cells spreading through the bloodstream.
• Brain: Brain metastases occur in approximately 40-50% of patients with advanced melanoma, with cancer cells reaching the brain via the bloodstream.
• Bones: Bone metastases affect about 15-20% of patients with metastatic disease, with cancer cells spreading through the bloodstream.
• Gastrointestinal tract: Spread to the gastrointestinal tract occurs in roughly 5-10% of cases, with cancer cells reaching the gastrointestinal tract via the bloodstream. The ability of melanoma cells to adapt to different tissue environments enables them to establish growth in these various organs, making early detection crucial for improving treatment outcomes and prognosis 1.

Factors Influencing Metastasis

• Aggressive nature of the cancer: Melanoma's ability to invade blood vessels and lymphatics early in disease progression contributes to its metastatic potential.
• Ability to adapt to different tissue environments: Melanoma cells can establish growth in various organs, making them a challenging cancer to treat. Given the most recent and highest quality study available, the pattern of metastasis in malignant melanoma is a critical factor in determining treatment outcomes and prognosis, with early detection and intervention being essential for improving patient outcomes 1.

From the Research

Metastasis Sites of Malignant Melanoma

Malignant melanoma is known to metastasize to various sites in the body. The common sites of metastasis include:

• Lung 2, 3, 4
• Liver 2, 3
• Brain 2, 3
• Bone 2, 3
• Lymph nodes 3, 4

Frequency of Metastasis Sites

The frequency of metastasis to these sites can vary, with the lung being the most common site after the lymph nodes 4. Bone metastases are reported to be the fourth most common site of melanoma metastasis 2.

Clinical Implications

Understanding the sites of metastasis is crucial for the diagnosis and treatment of malignant melanoma. Different treatment approaches, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, biological therapy, combination therapy, and surgery, may be employed depending on the site and extent of metastasis 2.