Role, extent, and impact of comorbidity on prognosis and survival in advanced metastatic melanoma: A review

Increased incidence of comorbidity in advanced metastatic melanoma (AMM) is emerging as an important factor in patient prognosis, treatment, and survival. This paper reviews the impact of comorbidities on the prognosis and survival outcomes of patients diagnosed with AMM. Our search initially yielded limited results. We then broadened our search to include breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer and covered malignancies in which screening (like melanoma) is associated with the detection of early-stage disease. Most studies showed that a higher prevalence of comorbidity was associated with more advanced cancer stage. Both treatment and survival of patients were influenced by age and the extent of comorbidity. Racial differences in survival were greatest for patients with no comorbidities and less evident at higher levels of comorbidity. Comorbid conditions showed differential effects for prognosis, treatment, and survival. Limited information in the literature demonstrates that more research is warranted with respect to comorbidities and AMM.