Abstract

BackgroundMelanoma accounts for the majority of skin cancer deaths. It has over thirty different subtypes. Different races have been observed to differ in multiple aspects of melanoma.MethodsSEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) data on six major subtypes, namely melanoma in situ (MIS), superficial spreading melanoma (SSM), nodular melanoma (NM), lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM), acral lentiginous melanoma malignant (ALM), and malignant melanoma NOS (NOS), were analyzed. The racial groups studied included NHW (non-Hispanic white), HW (Hispanic white), Black, and Asian/PI (Pacific Islanders). Univariate and multivariate analysis was conducted to quantify racial differences in patients’ characteristics, incidence, treatment, and survival.ResultsSignificant racial differences are observed in patients’ characteristics. For all subtypes except for ALM, NHWs have the highest incidence rates, followed by HWs, while Blacks have the lowest. For ALM, HWs have the highest rate, followed by NHWs. In stratified analysis, interaction between gender and race is observed. For the first five subtypes and localized and regional NOS, the dominating majority of patients had surgery, while for distant NOS, the distribution of treatment is more scattered. Significant racial differences are observed for distant ALM and NOS. For MIS, SSM, NM, LMM, and ALM, there is no significant racial difference in survival. For NOS, significant racial differences in survival are observed for the localized and regional stages, with NHWs having the best and Blacks having the worst five-year survival rates.ConclusionsRacial differences exist for the six major melanoma subtypes in the U.S. More data collection and analysis are needed to fully describe and interpret the differences across racial groups and across subtypes.

Highlights

  • Melanoma accounts for the majority of skin cancer deaths

  • Significant racial differences in marital status are observed for all subtypes expect for lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM)

  • Except for melanoma in situ (MIS), significant racial differences are observed in stage, with more Non-Hispanic white (NHW) having localized tumors

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Melanoma accounts for the majority of skin cancer deaths. Different races have been observed to differ in multiple aspects of melanoma. Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. In 2015, it is estimated that there were 73,870 new cases, and an estimated 9,940 people died of this disease [1]. It represents 4.5 % of all new cancer cases. The incidence of melanoma has been steadily rising since 1975 in the U.S [2]. Melanoma has over thirty different subtypes with significantly different behaviors.

Objectives
Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion

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 call

Disclaimer: 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.