Clinical and Demographic Profile of Cutaneous Melanoma: Pakistani Perspective

Abstract

Background: Cutaneous melanomas (CMs) account for only a small proportion of skin cancers, however these are responsible for most skin cancer deaths. There has been a consistently increasing trend in their incidence across the globe.

Methods: This prospective case series study spanned over a period of three years. All patients with histologically confirmed CMs were included.

Results: There were 31 patients including 28 males and 3 females with the mean age of 58.25±11.33 years. The histological subtypes included 13 cases (41.93%) of nodular melanoma (NM), 11 patients (35.5%) of acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), 3 cases (9.67%) of superficial spreading melanoma (SSM) and lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) and one case (3.22%) of desmoplastic melanoma. Two patients (6.45%) presented with stage II, whereas 21 patients had (67.74%) stage III melanoma. There were 8 patients (25.80%) with stage IV. Time interval between onset of the lesion and first presentation to hospital ranged from 6 to 17 weeks with a mean of 12.45±3.2 weeks. The overall median survival for patients with stage III and IV was 8.75 months. The overall survival for stage II at one year was 100%.

Conclusion: CMs more frequently affected males aged ≥58 years. Feet, face, trunk, hands and scalp were the affected anatomical body parts in decreasing order of frequency. NM and ALM were the more common histological subtypes. Majority of patients presented late and advanced stages of melanoma. Awareness about the sinister course of the disease will ensure early presentation with better treatment outcome.

Keywords: Cancer; Cutaneous; Melanoma; Skin.

Fig. 1

Acral lentiginous melanoma on the right hind foot area of a 59 years old male

Fig. 2

Acral lentiginous melanoma involving the left leg of a 63 years old male

Fig. 3

Acral lentiginous melanoma affecting the right foot plantar area of a 61 years old man

Fig. 4

Desmoplastic melanoma involving the second toe of left foot of a 58 years old man

Fig. 5

Nodular melanoma on the right side of trunk of a 33 years old man

Fig. 6

Nodular melanoma affecting the scalp of a 59 years old man

Fig. 7

Nodular melanoma involving the right nostril and maxilla in a 57 years old lady

Fig. 8

Lentigo maligna melanoma that emerged in a pre-existing lentigo maligna on the left cheek of a 63 years old man