Racial differences in six major subtypes of melanoma: descriptive epidemiology

Abstract

BackgroundMelanoma accounts for the majority of skin cancer deaths. It has over thirty different subtypes. Different races have been observed to differ in multiple aspects of melanoma.MethodsSEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) data on six major subtypes, namely melanoma in situ (MIS), superficial spreading melanoma (SSM), nodular melanoma (NM), lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM), acral lentiginous melanoma malignant (ALM), and malignant melanoma NOS (NOS), were analyzed. The racial groups studied included NHW (non-Hispanic white), HW (Hispanic white), Black, and Asian/PI (Pacific Islanders). Univariate and multivariate analysis was conducted to quantify racial differences in patients’ characteristics, incidence, treatment, and survival.ResultsSignificant racial differences are observed in patients’ characteristics. For all subtypes except for ALM, NHWs have the highest incidence rates, followed by HWs, while Blacks have the lowest. For ALM, HWs have the highest rate, followed by NHWs. In stratified analysis, interaction between gender and race is observed. For the first five subtypes and localized and regional NOS, the dominating majority of patients had surgery, while for distant NOS, the distribution of treatment is more scattered. Significant racial differences are observed for distant ALM and NOS. For MIS, SSM, NM, LMM, and ALM, there is no significant racial difference in survival. For NOS, significant racial differences in survival are observed for the localized and regional stages, with NHWs having the best and Blacks having the worst five-year survival rates.ConclusionsRacial differences exist for the six major melanoma subtypes in the U.S. More data collection and analysis are needed to fully describe and interpret the differences across racial groups and across subtypes.

Clinical and histopathological characteristics and survival analysis of 4594 Japanese patients with melanoma

“…Our study revealed the unique characteristic of Japanese melanoma patients. Notably, the most common clinical type was ALM (40.4%); in contrast, the proportion of ALM among non‐Hispanic whites in the SEER database was only 1.5% . Therefore, 44.7% of all melanoma developed in the hand or foot.…”

Use of immune checkpoint inhibitors prolonged overall survival in a Japanese population of advanced malignant melanoma patients: Retrospective single institutional study

“…Recent clinical trials have revealed that immune checkpoint inhibitors significantly improved the OS of patients with advanced melanoma . However, these previous studies comprised mainly white populations, in which SSM and LMM are the major clinical types of melanoma . In contrast, Asians manifest a distinct clinicopathological type of melanoma from that of whites and show much higher frequencies of ALM and MUC, which have been shown to be less susceptible to immune checkpoint inhibitors .…”

Parental use of sun protection for their children—does skin color matter?

“…Although this might reduce their requirements for sun protection, there are no studies or guidelines to our knowledge that establish a less stringent but “safe” standard for people with darker skin. The melanoma subtypes associated with sun exposure, such as superficial spreading melanoma, are rare in darker‐skinned populations . The more frequent melanoma subtypes in the darker‐skinned population, such as acral lentiginous melanoma, tend to occur on non‐sun‐exposed areas of the body and are less related to sun exposure .…”