Clinical Scorecard: Influence of Anatomical Location and Histological Type on Breslow Thickness and High-Risk Characteristics in Surgically Treated Cutaneous Melanoma at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, South Africa

At a Glance

Key Highlights

• Acral and lower-limb melanomas show greater Breslow thickness compared to trunk lesions.
• Acral lentiginous melanoma, nodular melanoma, and lentigo maligna melanoma present with greater thickness than superficial spreading melanoma.
• Ulceration is associated with increasing Breslow thickness.
• No independent associations with nodal positivity were observed for Breslow thickness or ulceration.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

• Breslow thickness is crucial for melanoma staging and prognosis.

Management

• Surgical management decisions should consider anatomical location and histological subtype.

Monitoring & Follow-up

• Regular assessment of Breslow thickness and associated high-risk features is recommended.

Risks

• Delayed diagnosis and reduced access to early specialist assessment contribute to thicker melanoma presentations.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Patients undergoing surgical management for primary cutaneous melanoma.

Early biopsy and surgical referral are critical for high-risk lesions.

Clinical Best Practices

• Recognize clinicopathological indicators of thick melanoma for timely intervention.
• Incorporate anatomical site and histological subtype into treatment planning.

Related Resources & Content

• STROBE Statement