Abstract
Between the years 1967 and 1993, 3246 patients were diagnosed with malignant melanoma at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol. This paper reports 47 patients, 21 years of age or under, including 10 preadolescent cases under 14 years of age. It represents a further follow-up of a cohort originally published from this centre in 1986 in addition to 18 new cases. Most (89%) of the lesions occurred on the trunk and extremities, with females showing a predominance of lesions on the lower limbs. 83% of the melanomas were of the superficial spreading type; 72% invaded to Clark level III and IV. Thickness ranged from 0.29mm to 50.00mm (median 1.20 mm). Ulceration was present in 17% of cases and 32% of melanomas arose within a pre-existing small congenital melanocytic naevus. Overall 5-year survival was 81%, with a mean follow-up of 8.5 years. Ulceration and tumour thickness of greater than 1.5 mm were associated with a poor prognosis.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
