The excretion of Thormählen positive melanogens in melanoma patients and its clinical significance

Thormählen positive melanogens (TPM) were determined in the urine of 585 primary and/or metastatic cutaneous melanoma patients, in 105 primary and/or metastatic ocular melanoma patients, in 100 patients suffering from other diseases with the exception of melanoma and in 72 healthly persons. On the basis of our results we can recommend the determination of the sum of TPM as sufficient for routine monitoring of patients in the course of malignant melanoma. The determination of TPM urinary excretion cannot substitute histological and clinical examinations in an early diagnosis of malignant melanoma, but it is very important and useful for a differential diagnosis and prognosis of malignant melanoma. TPM urinary excretion can be followed in melanoma patients also for the indication of further treatment and the evaluation of the response on chemotherapy or immunotherapy.