[Malignant melanoma among the ethnic Melanesian population of New Caledonia]

Abstract

Melanesian population amounts to 61,270 out of 145,368 inhabitants in New Caledonia according to the last census. Melanesians of phototype VI have no predisposition in regard to malignant melanoma. From 1977 to 1987, 7 cases have been reported. Localisations are always in some zones not exposed to sunlight: 3 acral-lentiginous melanoma of the sole, 2 tumorous nodules of the anus margin and the vulva, 2 choroidal localisations. So, incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma is very low (0.7/100,000 per annum) and in accordance with classical data regarding black people. But one has to keep in mind its being in some characteristic localisations. All the above referred cases have been detected at an advanced local extension.