SUMMARY

The cutaneous melanoma is a malignant transformation of the epidermal melanocytic, its incidence has been increased in the last years. To determine the influence of Clarck's levels in long term survival and 5 years recurrence rate, its relationship with regional lymph node metastasis and the rates of 5 years survival and recurrence after surgery we carried out a study in 46 cases between 1966 and 1996 at Belen, Regional Docente and Victor Lazarte Echegaray hospitals in Trujillo, Peru. In this study we conclude that there was a direct relationship between the level of vertical invasion and the frequency of regional lymph node metastasis as well as with the recurrence rate and this relationship was inverse to five years survivall rate. The bigger knowledge of this illness allows to make a better diagnosis and precocious therapeutics.

Key Words: Melanoma, Clark's levels, Recurrence, Survival.

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