Solar elastosis and melanoma-specific survival: A systematic review and meta-analysis

To the Editor,
Sun exposure is a major cause of melanoma. The extent of solar elastosis, or chronic sun damage, is an indicator of accumulated sun exposure; it reflects the degree of extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and the extent of decrease in dermal collagen after sun damage. A previous study revealed that the mechanical and microstructural properties of the ECM may affect the invasion of melanoma cells.1 Budden et al.2 explored the relationship between dermal collagen and the behaviour of cancer cell invasion in melanoma. Low collagen concentration and reduced collagen integrity are both shown to impede melanoma invasion. However, the association between solar elastosis and prognosis for patients with melanoma remains controversial. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to elucidate the association between solar elastosis and melanoma-specific survival (MSS).