Second primary melanomas: Increased risk and decreased time to presentation in patients exposed to tanning beds

Melanoma incidence has increased; the primary modifiable risk factor is ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun or artificial UVR (arUVR) from tanning beds.

To determine whether patients who developed melanoma after arUVR exposure from tanning beds have unique characteristics.

A retrospective study of 434 melanoma patients was performed. Patients who consented at the initial appointment completed a questionnaire regarding phenotypic traits, medical history, and UVR exposure.

Compared with patients aged ≥40 years, younger patients, especially women, had greater lifetime exposure to arUVR. At any age, patients with multiple primary melanomas had a higher probability of exposure to arUVR. For all patients with additional primary melanomas, those exposed to arUVR acquired their second primary melanoma significantly earlier; 67% of patients exposed to arUVR through tanning beds had their second primary diagnosed at the time of or within 1 year of their original diagnosis compared with 28% of nontanners (P = .011). Median time to diagnosis of second primary melanoma in patients exposed to arUVR versus those not exposed was 225 days versus 3.5 years, respectively (P = .027).

The study was conducted in 1 geographic area with a relatively small sample size.

Our findings provide evidence for heightened surveillance in melanoma patients exposed to arUVR.