Clinical characteristics of cutaneous melanoma in patients of different age

Abstract

Aim: to identify specific clinical characteristics of patients with cutaneous melanoma of different gender and age.Patients and Methods: retrospective analysis of medical records of 53 patients with primary cutaneous melanoma was performed. The patients were divided into two age groups. Group 1 included 26 patients under 55 years, mean age was 41.9±8.9 years (26-54 years), 15 women and 11 men. Group 2 included 27 patients older than 55 years, mean age 66.2±7.1 years (55-82 years), 15 women and 12 men. Confirmed anamnestic data, the results of clinical and physical examination and standard instrumental tests, and verified intercurrent diseases were analyzed. Results: male-to-female sex ratio was 1:1.3. Melanoma elsewhere on the extremities was more common in women <55 years than in women ≥55 years and men (73.3, 40.0, and 18.2%, respectively; р<0.05). Scalp melanoma was more common in men (regardless of age) than in women (34.8% vs. 6.7%; р<0.05). In men and women <55 years, nodular melanoma and melanoma in congenital nevi were found in 65.4% and 73.0%, respectively. In men and women ≥55 years, nodular melanoma and melanoma in congenital nevi were found in 25. 9% and 33.3%, respectively (р<0.05), i.e., melanoma de novo was common in these patients. A history of melanoma was significantly longer in patients ≥55 years than in patients <55 years regardless of gender (17.9±4.2 months and 6.5±3.9 months, respectively). Comorbid conditions and other cancers were 2.6 times more common in patients ≥55 years than in patients <55 years (р<0.05). Conclusion: our analysis provides the hallmarks of the clinical course of cutaneous melanoma and contributes to its early diagnosis. In-depth study of the effect of intercurrent diseases in terms of the etiology and pathogenesis of cutaneous melanoma is useful.