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Identification of melanoma risk factors in the Polish population
J Dabkowski1, A Omulecki, A Zalewska
1Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Lódź, Poland.
Background:
There is a great deal of literature regarding malignant melanoma risk factors all over the world. However, such data concerning the Polish population has not been published as of yet.
Objective:
To identify the importance of melanoma risk factors including number and distribution of common and atypical nevi of the patients, phenotypic features, and environmental conditions.
Methods:
This is a case-control study of 74 melanoma patients and 300 controls. We used histopathological examination to confirm diagnosis of melanoma. Epiluminescence microscopy was introduced for differential diagnosis of all pigmented lesions.
Results:
The mean number of common nevi in melanoma patients was significantly higher compared with the control group (22.1 vs 15.2; P < 0.05). Atypical nevi in the melanoma patients group and in the control group were encountered in 16.2% and 6.6%, respectively (P < 0.05). In the melanoma group more patients with fair complexion, intense sun exposure, and sunburn were identified compared with the control group.
Conclusion:
It was stated that an increased number of nevi (especially atypical ones), fair skin, and blue/green eyes, as well as intense UV exposure and sunburns, are important risk factors for melanoma development.