Delay in the diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma: an analysis of 233 patients

Knowledge of factors associated with the detection of cutaneous malignant melanomas and reasons for delay in diagnosis are essential for the improvement of secondary prevention of cutaneous melanoma. For this reason, the extent and consequence of patient and professional delay in diagnosis and treatment was investigated in 233 patients with histologically proven primary cutaneous melanomas seen at the Department of Dermatology and Allergology at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany, between January 1999 and January 2001. Personal interviews were conducted by two physicians to obtain information on patients' knowledge of melanoma symptoms, sun behaviour, delay in seeking medical attention, professional delay and related factors. The main component of delay was patient related. Nearly one-third (29.2%) of all patients reported a delay interval of more than 12 months from the onset of an observed change in a pigmented lesion or first detection of a pigmented lesion to the first visit to a physician. The delay interval from the first visit to a physician to surgical treatment was shorter (< 1 month) in most of our patients (74.7%). The predominant symptoms of melanoma detected by patients were a change in colour and an increase in size or elevation. Most patients had obtained knowledge about cutaneous melanomas from television and magazines. A delay in diagnosis and a history of many sunburns and outdoor leisure time activities were not associated with a greater tumour thickness. However, fairer skin types, lower education levels and lack of knowledge about cutaneous melanoma were associated with a greater tumour thickness. Further efforts are necessary to improve public and medical education about early detection and prompt surgical treatment, which is known to be the most effective treatment modality for cutaneous melanomas.