ARE TNF-a AND ERYTHROPOIETIN VALUABLE PROGNOSTIC FACTORS IN METASTATIC MELANOMA?

The incidence of malignant melanoma has increased in recent years and its prognosis is poor. Metastasis of melanoma is fast and the survey is short. The median survival is approximately 7 months and only 5% of patients will be alive 5 years after diagnosis. In our study the serum levels of TNF-a and erythropoietin were investigated in 16 metastatic malignant melanoma patients and 20 healthy controls. Statistical significance was determined by Mann- Whitney U test. The serum levels of TNF-a between the patients and healthy controls were not significantly different (p=0,741). Statistically, the serum levels of EPO were significantly higher in patients than the healthy controls (p=0,033). When the findings are investigated, TNF-a and EPO levels are not valuable prognostic factors in malignant melanoma.

Keywords: Metastatic malignant melanoma, TNF-a , erythropoietin