Affiliation:
1. Division of Breast and Melanoma Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery Mayo Clinic Rochester Minnesota USA
2. Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery Mayo Clinic Rochester Minnesota USA
Abstract
AbstractIntroductionMelanoma guidelines stem largely from data on non‐Hispanic White (NHW) patients. We aimed to identify features of melanoma within non‐Hispanic Black (NHB) patients to inform strategies for earlier detection and treatment.MethodsFrom 2004 to 2019 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data, we identified nonmetastatic melanoma patients with known TN category and race. Kaplan–Meier cancer‐specific survival (CSS) estimates and multivariable Cox proportional hazard modeling analyses were performed.ResultsOf 492 597 patients, 1499 (0.3%) were NHB, who were younger (21% vs. 17% age <50) and more commonly female (54% vs. 41%) than NHW, both p < 0.0005. For NHBs, lower extremity was the most common site (52% vs. 15% for NHWs, p < 0.0001), T category was higher (55% Tis–T1 vs. 82%; 27% T3–T4 vs. 8%, p < 0.0001) and stage at presentation was higher (19% Stage III, vs. 6%, p < 0.0001). Within the NHB cohort, males were older, and more often node‐positive than females. Five‐year Stage III CSS was 42% for NHB males versus 71% for females, adjusting for age and clinical nodal status (hazard ratio 2.48).ConclusionsNHB melanoma patients presented with distinct tumor characteristics. NHB males with Stage III disease had inferior CSS. Focus on this high‐risk patient cohort to promote earlier detection and treatment may improve outcomes.