The anatomic distribution of cutaneous melanoma: A detailed study of 5141 lesions.
Australas J Dermatol
; 61(2): 125-133, 2020 May.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31880825
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES:
There is evidence that cutaneous melanomas at different anatomic sites present with distinctive clinicopathologic features. We examined the anatomic distribution of cutaneous melanoma and its variation by patient characteristics, subtype and Breslow thickness, using high-resolution anatomic site data.METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was performed of all primary cutaneous melanoma cases managed at a tertiary referral centre, analysing prospectively collected clinical data across 50 anatomic subsites.RESULTS:
The study included 5141 in situ or invasive melanomas; most were invasive (76.2%), and the median Breslow thickness of invasive lesions was 1.0 mm. Superficial spreading (57.2%), lentigo maligna (20.8%) and nodular (12.2%) were the most common histopathological subtypes. Sun-exposed sites such as the female nose and cheek, the male ear, as well as the upper back in both sexes had the highest incidence of melanoma per unit area. When compared to the posterior forearm, the scalp, ear, preauricular, perioral, subungual and plantar sites had thicker invasive melanomas (each P < 0.05). The peri-auricular, ear and cheek had the highest incidence of nodular melanoma per unit area. There were subtype-, age- and sex-specific differences in melanoma anatomic distribution.CONCLUSION:
Melanoma most commonly arises in sun-exposed facial areas, as well as the upper back. Increased thickness is found for melanoma in acral and many head and neck sites. Nodular melanoma is more likely to occur in head and neck sites including the peri-auricular area, ear and cheek. Clinicians should carefully assess these sites during skin examinations.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Neoplasias Cutâneas
/
Neoplasias Faciais
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Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço
/
Melanoma
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Australas J Dermatol
Ano de publicação:
2020
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Austrália