Retrospective data analysis of the history of patients treated for malignant melanoma at the Department of Dermatology, Jagiellonian University between 1991 and 2008

Melanoma is the most worrisome melanocytic skin lesion. It is also one of the most malignant tumours, and rapidly forms metastases. Melanoma incidence and mortality rates are increasing in most countries throughout the world. To analyse retrospectively the history of patients who were diagnosed with malignant melanoma at the Department of Dermatology Jagiellonian University, Krakow. Using retrospective data we analysed history cases of 194 patients, 83 men (42.8%) and 111 women (57.2%) with melanoma. The patients' age, sex, location and number of the lesions and melanoma type were analysed. Statistical analysis was performed using STATISTICA. According to the observations there was a significant increase of morbidity rate between 1991 (1 case) and 2001 (23 cases). In all investigated populations melanoma was more commonly observed on the trunk (37.5%) than on the head and neck (2.1%). Melanomas were predominant on the trunk in males (51.2%), and equally on the lower limb and trunk for females (27.3%, p = 0.003). In most cases melanoma developed from a pre-existing naevus (64.4%). Lentigo maligna was found on sun-exposed areas in 72.2% of cases, mostly among patients over 60 years old. Nodular melanoma was the predominant type (30.7%), while acral lentiginous melanoma was the rarest one (1%). Most of the melanoma cases were at Clark level IV when diagnosed (32.8%), whereas cases at Clark level V were found in 5.2%. The majority of melanoma lesions were at Breslow stage III and IV when excised (p = 0.006). Our results confirmed that patients with melanoma had decided to visit the dermatologist too late, when the tumour was at an advanced stage. There is still insufficient knowledge of the self-examination of the naevi as well as of the need for regular dermatological examination of suspicious lesions and early surgical excision if necessary.