Signs and symptoms of melanoma in older populations

We conducted a descriptive study to assess the relationship between increas ing age and the reporting of melanoma signs/symptoms in 634 hospital-based and 624 population-based incident cases of melanoma. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between older age (greater than or equal to 50 years) and the reporting of melanoma signs/symptoms. O lder patients were less likely to report itching and change in elevation of their lesions (P < 0.05). Change in color was also less likely to be repor ted by older patients, although not statistically significant. Ulceration o f the lesion was reported significantly more by older patients (P < 0.05). Older individuals may be less likely to report itching and change in elevat ion/color of their lesions, but more likely to report ulceration, a symptom associated with advanced disease and poor prognosis. Further research is n ecessary to provide a better understanding of the development of melanoma i n older populations so that new strategies can be explored to improve early detection in this age group. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights res erved.