A descriptive study of melanoma skin cancers in patients attending Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Helen Joseph Hospital from July 2013 to June 2016

Abstract

Introduction

Melanoma is a malignant tumour that arises from melanocytic cells, which are neural crest derived cells. They are located in the basal layer of the epidermis, uvea of the eye,vaginal epithelium, meninges, bone and inner ear. Although more common in fair skinned individuals, melanomas are still one of the most common skin cancers seen in dark skinned people and are the most aggressive of all the skin cancers, amongst all racial groups.

Aims

The aim of this research was to describe the clinicopathological features of melanoma skin cancer in patients attending Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Helen Joseph Hospital.

Methods

This study was a retrospective record review of 128 patients, with histologically confirmed melanoma skin cancers, based on biopsies submitted to the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS). The histology report provided the demographic data, confirmation of melanoma skin cancer, histologic subtype, other risk factors associated with development of melanoma skin cancers as well as the site of these tumours.

V

Results The mean age (± SD) age of the patient population was 60 (15.6) years with a significant difference between men (63.2 years) and women (57.5 years) (p = 0.0364) The most common type of melanomas in males in all age groups were on the trunk (29%) and in females on the lower extremities (36%). The main clinical subtypes found, were nodular melanoma (NM), acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) and lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM), with an incidence of 63.4% in NM and 11,7% in both ALM and LMM. Females presented with a higher percentage of invasive tumours (36%) than men (31%).

Conclusion

The frequency of melanoma was the same in both sexes and there was a notable difference in the anatomic site in males and females. The anatomic sites of melanoma also differed between the older and younger age group. The most common subtypes documented in our patient population were nodular melanoma, acral lentiginous melanoma and lentigo maligna melanoma.