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Advanced cutaneous head and neck melanoma more often diagnosed on posterior locations

Advanced cutaneous head and neck melanomas were diagnosed more often on the scalp or back of the neck compared with anterior locations, according to recently published study results.

Researchers studied 1,074 patients (53.7% men) diagnosed with first-time invasive cutaneous head and neck melanoma (CHNM) between 2008 and 2012 in Norway; this comprised 13% of all cutaneous melanomas diagnosed in the country during that time.

CHNM were more frequently found in men, and also more likely to be nodular or lentigo maligna cutaneous melanomas and diagnosed at a higher T stage compared with cutaneous trunk and extremity melanomas (P ≤ .01).

Higher T stage, ulceration and advanced stage were more frequent in CHNM located on posterior sites. Among patients with CHNM, 7.1% died of cutaneous melanoma during follow-up.

Using multivariable analysis, significant prognostic factors for melanoma-specific and overall death were T stage and clinical stage (P < .001).

“To our knowledge, this is the first study examining CHNM and prognosis in a nationwide study,” the researchers wrote. “Posterior lesions (scalp and back of neck) were more often diagnosed at a higher T stage, were more often ulcerated, and diagnosed at more advanced clinical stage than CHNM on anterior sites.

“Posterior location of CHNM was a stronger prognostic factor than the scalp/neck location. However, location of CHNM was a not a significant prognostic factor of [cutaneous melanoma]-specific death or overall death in the multivariable analysis, taking other prognostic factors into account.” – by Bruce Thiel

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.