Malignant melanoma in the American Black

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Dermatology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Malignant melanoma is uncommon in Black Americans, with distinct clinical behavior and distribution compared to White patients.
• Previous reports on melanoma in Black patients are limited, with the last significant study in 1948.
• The Charity Hospital Tumor Registry provides a substantial dataset for analyzing melanoma in this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the characteristics, distribution, and survival outcomes of malignant melanoma in Black patients.
• To compare melanoma presentation and outcomes in Black patients with those in White patients.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of specific treatment modalities for early-stage melanoma in Black individuals.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 96 malignant melanoma cases in Black patients recorded from 1948 to 1974 at Charity Hospital.
• Comparison of demographic data (age, sex) and clinical presentation (site of occurrence) with White patient data.
• Evaluation of 5-year survival rates based on disease stage and treatment interventions.

Main Results:

• The average age at diagnosis for Black patients was 57.8 years, slightly older than White patients (53 years).
• Melanoma commonly presented on the palmar/plantar surfaces (hands/feet) and lower limbs (51%) in Black patients.
• Overall 5-year survival was 27%, but Stage I patients treated with perfusion, wide excision, and lymph node dissection achieved a 78% 5-year survival rate.

Conclusions:

• Malignant melanoma in Black patients presents unique epidemiological and clinical features.
• Prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment, including surgical interventions, are crucial for improving survival in early-stage melanoma.
• Further research is warranted to understand and mitigate the disparities in melanoma outcomes among different racial groups.