Reply: Value of tyrosinase RT–PCR in melanoma prognosis
2003
Response to Comments on Melanoma Prognosis Study
Sample size: 27
Commentary
Author Information
Author(s): Gogas H
Primary Institution: 1st Department of Medicine, PO Box 14120 Athens, Greece
Conclusion
The authors clarify that most patients were already diagnosed with melanoma and that the surgery's impact on circulating melanoma cells is complex and may be influenced by interferon therapy.
Supporting Evidence
- More than 95% of patients referred to the center have already been diagnosed with melanoma.
- Blood samples could not be obtained before surgical manipulation due to the patients' conditions.
- The authors argue that the surgery's impact on circulating melanoma cells is complex and may be influenced by interferon therapy.
Takeaway
The authors explain that they couldn't get blood samples from patients before surgery because most were already diagnosed with melanoma, and they discuss how surgery and treatment might affect cancer cell levels in the blood.
Limitations
The study was not randomized and did not include untreated patients.
Participant Demographics
Patients were high-risk melanoma patients requiring surgical intervention.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website