Melanoma and Matrimony: Retrospective Study of Demographics, Marital Status, and Clinical Features of Patients With Acral Melanoma at a Single Academic Center

Abstract

Acral melanoma (AM) is localized to the hands and feet including the palms, soles, fingers, toes, and nails, and is associated with a high degree of morbidity and mortality. It has a greater proportional incidence in non-White patients and is often diagnosed at later stages than other cutaneous melanomas. Our study aimed to analyze demographic and clinical features associated with AM to better inform screening and early detection. Demographic and clinical data of patients with histopathologically confirmed AM seen at Weill Cornell Medicine were collected (6/1/2005–7/20/2022). ANOVA and t-tests assessed differences in time-to-treatment and Breslow depth by demographics/characteristics. Ninety-five AMs were analyzed from 88 distinct patients, with a mean age of 62.48 years (range: 18–98), 63.6% females, and 62.5% non-Whites. Time-to-treatment was longer for White versus non-White patients (41.8 vs. 29.1 days, p = 0.0007), with a similar Breslow depth (White 1.29 mm vs. non-White 0.94 mm, p = 0.26). On average, single/widowed versus married patients had greater Breslow depth (1.53 mm vs. 1.00 mm, p = 0.0041), as did patients > 65 versus ≤ 65 years (1.26 mm vs. 0.93 mm, p = 0.0022). Since we found that AM is more common in non-White versus White patients, we recommend increased education and screening among non-White individuals. Also, since single/widowed patients had greater Breslow depth than married patients, marriage may play a protective role in earlier cancer diagnosis, and enhanced melanoma education and screening, particularly targeting single individuals, could benefit patient outcomes.