(epithelioid) are more malignant , with 34 percent of patients living 5 years and 28 percent 15 years. Survival is a little better for melanomas in which spindle cells are mixed with epithelioid cells (46 percent and 41 percent, 5- and 15-year survivals respectively).
In general, small melanomas of the spindle cell type are almost entirely
benign and the patient may never have widespread disease or require treatment of any kind.
• Melanomas arising from the colored portion at the front of the eye (the iris) are usually noted very early and
frequently contain spindle cells.
• Large melanomas of the epithelioid variety require treatment soon after discovery. Despite treatment, there is
spread to a different part of the body—often the liver—in 65 percent of all patients.
