Epidemiological characteristics of cutaneous malignant melanoma of the head and neck - A population-based study

Since cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) and melanoma in situ (MIS) of the head and neck have only partially been differentiated from CMM of other ana tomic sites, these lesions are classified in detail in this study. Data fro m 756 patients derived from the population-based register of the Stockholm- Gotland area were analyzed and the findings showed that the incidence of CM M was 3.4 times higher in the face compared to the skin outside the head-ne ck area and that lentigo maligna melanoma was 74 times and nodular melanoma 2.3 times more common in the face. Mean age at diagnosis was significantly higher for patients with CMM of the head and neck irrespective of histogen etic type. Tumor site within the head and neck related to age at diagnosis. CMM of the head and neck differs from CMM of other locations. Epidemiologi cal data are in agreement with the hypothesis that UV radiation (chronic or intermittent) may give rise to melanomas with various phenotypic traits.