Cutaneous malignant melanoma among white Hispanics and non-Hispanics in the United States

To explore whether disparities exist in melanoma incidence and prognosis between White Hispanics and White non-Hispanics.

Analyses were based on 42,770 patients with malignant melanoma in the United States, 2004 through 2006.

Hispanics were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with superficial spreading melanoma or Hutchinson's melanotic freckle, but significantly more likely to be diagnosed with nodular melanoma or acral lentiginous melanoma. Hispanics were also significantly less likely to have multiple primary cancers and less likely to receive surgical treatment. Among those diagnosed during the study period, 12.4% (n = 142) of Hispanic patients and 8.5% (n = 3,235) of non-Hispanic patients died sometime during these years. Approximately 7.3% of Hispanic patients and 4.8% of non-Hispanic patients died specifically from melanoma. Later stage at diagnosis was the primary explanation for the difference in death from melanoma between Hispanic and non-Hispanic Whites.

Hispanic melanoma patients experience significantly poorer prognostic findings at diagnosis. The disparity in melanoma stage, tumor depth, and ulcerated tumors at diagnosis emphasizes the need for greater secondary prevention efforts among this group.