Multiple primary melanomas: A literature review.

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Oncology

Background:

• Melanoma survival rates have improved, leading to an increased incidence of second primary melanomas.
• Patients surviving an initial melanoma diagnosis face a higher risk of developing additional melanomas.

Approach:

• A comprehensive literature review was conducted, analyzing 36 independent studies.
• Data on the incidence and characteristics of multiple primary melanomas were identified and integrated.

Key Points:

• The incidence of multiple primary melanomas varied widely, ranging from 1.1% to 20.4%.
• Synchronous melanomas constituted 5% to 66% of reported cases.
• The trunk is the most frequent site for both first and subsequent melanomas, with superficial spreading melanoma being the most common histological type.

Conclusions:

• Subsequent melanomas were generally thinner than first melanomas, indicated by a lower mean Breslow index.
• Melanoma survivors require long-term surveillance due to the elevated risk of secondary primary melanomas.