Anatomic location of primary melanoma: Survival differences and sun exposure

Abstract

Background: Anatomic location of melanoma has been shown to independently influence melanoma-specific survival (MSS). Objective: We aimed to compare the MSS of specific anatomic subsites and between chronically, intermittently, and rarely sun-exposed sites. Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed of primary invasive cutaneous melanomas with known thickness and location reviewed at a tertiary referral center over 21 years. Results: Overall, 3570 primary cutaneous invasive melanoma cases were included. After adjustment for clinicopathologic variables (including thickness, ulceration, mitotic rate, sex, age, and subtype), posterior scalp melanoma was associated with worse MSS (hazard ..