Distribution of clinical-pathological types of cutaneous melanomas and mortality rate in the region of Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil

Objective To describe the characteristics of all cases of primary cutaneous melanoma during the period 1995–2001, registered at pathology departments in the region of Passo Fundo. Methods The sample studied consisted of 229 primary cutaneous melanoma lesions, identified by anatomopathological reports, in 218 patients. The variables evaluated were: sex, age, anatomical site, histological type, level of invasion and tumor thickness. The rate of incidence, mortality and survival curve were calculated. Results The most frequent tumor site was in the back of men (49.5%) and in the lower limbs of women (33.1%). The most frequent clinical‐pathological type for both sexes was the superficial expansive type (superficial spreading) at 61.6%. The level of invasion was higher in men, using Clark level III (30.3%), than in women. In women the most frequent level of invasion was Clark level II (33.1%). Of the total number of lesions, 198 (47.2%) were ≤ 1 mm thick, and 23.2% of the men had thicker lesions (> 4 mm) than the women. The incidence was 5.67 per 100,000 patients‐year during this period and the mortality rate was 2.16 per 100,000 patients‐year. Conclusions In the sample studied the most common sites were in the back of men and in the legs of women. The predominant type clinical‐pathological was superficial spreading.