Clinicopathological features of <i>Cutaneous melanoma</i> among patients at Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the anatomical location affected by the Malignant Melanoma lesion; To describe the histological characteristics of cutaneous Malignant Melanoma; To describe the clinical staging of patients presenting with Malignant Melanoma of the skin.
Design: A Cross-sectional descriptive study conducted over 6 months
Setting: Kenyatta National Hospital Plastic Surgery ward, General Surgery Wards, Surgical Out-Patient Clinic and Accident and Emergency Department.
Subjects: Patients with skin lesions confirmed on incisional biopsy, to be malignant melanoma.
Interventions: The patients underwent excision or amputation of the site affected by the melanoma lesion depending on their clinical staging. All tissue specimens were forwarded to the histopathology laboratory and evaluated by a dermatopathologist.
Main outcome measures: Patient age and gender, anatomical site of primary lesion, duration of symptoms, stage of disease, breslow thickness of the lesion and histopathologic subtypes
Results: This study demonstrated acral lentiginous melanoma as the commonest malignant melanoma subtype, followed by nodular melanoma. Majority of the patients presented with late stage disease.
Conclusion: In view of delayed presentation with thick primary lesions and advanced disease, early presentation is encouraged. Prevention initiatives need to be concentrated on sun avoidance education, wearing of sunscreen, importance of skin awareness and examination, and the screening of high-risk populations.