TY - JOUR
T1 - Malignant melanoma in non-Caucasians
T2 - Experience from Hawaii
AU - Johnson, David Scott
AU - Yamane, Shane
AU - Morita, Shane
AU - Yonehara, Cyndee
AU - Wong, Jan H.
PY - 2003/4/1
Y1 - 2003/4/1
N2 - Data from the Hawaii Tumor Registry suggest that the incidence of melanoma in the non-Caucasian population of Hawaii is not substantially different from that of the remainder of the United States. Our experience indicates that melanoma in this population, although unusual, is not rare. Although lesions on the palms and soles are more common, as are subungal melanomas, primary tumors on other skin sites account for the majority of patients with cutaneous melanoma in the non-Caucasian population. The substantial difference in primary tumor thickness suggests the reported poorer outcomes for non-Caucasian patients with cutaneous melanoma may be explained, at least in part, by a delay in diagnosis. Given the evidence that preventive measures and educational efforts have dramatically impacted the diagnosis and outcome of melanoma patients, it is critical to recognize that similar efforts should be directed at the non-Caucasian population.
AB - Data from the Hawaii Tumor Registry suggest that the incidence of melanoma in the non-Caucasian population of Hawaii is not substantially different from that of the remainder of the United States. Our experience indicates that melanoma in this population, although unusual, is not rare. Although lesions on the palms and soles are more common, as are subungal melanomas, primary tumors on other skin sites account for the majority of patients with cutaneous melanoma in the non-Caucasian population. The substantial difference in primary tumor thickness suggests the reported poorer outcomes for non-Caucasian patients with cutaneous melanoma may be explained, at least in part, by a delay in diagnosis. Given the evidence that preventive measures and educational efforts have dramatically impacted the diagnosis and outcome of melanoma patients, it is critical to recognize that similar efforts should be directed at the non-Caucasian population.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0037399330&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/S0039-6109(02)00093-2
DO - 10.1016/S0039-6109(02)00093-2
M3 - Review article
C2 - 12744610
AN - SCOPUS:0037399330
SN - 0039-6109
VL - 83
SP - 275
EP - 282
JO - Surgical Clinics of North America
JF - Surgical Clinics of North America
IS - 2
ER -