The Prognostic Significance of Tumor Budding and Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Patients Diagnosed With Malignant Melanoma

The tumor microenvironment plays a critical role in malignant melanoma, influencing progression and patient outcomes, particularly through tumor budding (TB) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Despite the importance of TB, its detailed impact still needs to be explored, especially its interaction with TILs. This study evaluates the prognostic significance of TB and TILs in malignant melanoma, assessing their potential as indicators for disease progression and survival. Conducted at Akdeniz University, the research included 92 patients diagnosed between 2014 and 2021. TB was evaluated according to the International Tumor Budding Consensus Conference guidelines, and TILs were assessed by the International Immuno-Oncology Biomarker Working Group standards. The analysis revealed significant correlations between TB and the level of anatomic invasion, Breslow thickness, satellite nodules, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and stage (P < 0.05). A notable inverse relationship between TB and intratumoral TILs suggested their different roles in tumor progression. Tumor subtype, level of anatomic invasion, satellite nodules, lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, stage, TILs, and TB were significant risk factors associated with poor prognosis (P < 0.005). Multivariate Cox regression identified histologic subtype and TB >10 as independent prognostic factors, underscoring the need for further research to integrate TB and TILs into clinical practice for better patient management and treatment planning.