The analysis of influence of tumor localization on late diagnosis and treatment in patients with skin melanoma

With the prospective study, from June 2004 to June 2012, were compared the results of the influence of tumor position on late diagnosis and treatment of skin melanoma. Respondents were classified according to clinical appearance in 2 equal groups. The first group, group A (32 respondents) consisted of respondents that underwent radical wide excision of the primary tumor at an early stage of the disease. In the second group, group B (32 respondents) were classified respondents with melanoma that underwent radical excision of melanoma at a later stage of the disease. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of tumor localization on late diagnosis and treatment of skin melanoma. In 25 respondents (78.1%) who were operated at an early stage, melanoma was located on the face, chest, abdomen and extremities, while in 7 (21.9%) respondents, melanoma was localized on the back. In the group of late operated respondents, melanoma was positioned on the face, chest, abdomen and extremities in 9 (28.1%) respondents, while in 23 (71.9%) respondents, tumor was localized on the back. It has been shown that tumor localization essentially determines the time of visits of respondents for examination. Melanoma on the back remains unnoticed for a long time, i.e. unrecognized changes in lesions compared to lesions of other anatomical regions, which is probably the reason for the bigger waste of time and late diagnosis. Respondents in group B consulted the doctor 4-5 months later, because of melanoma position than the group A, which is proved to be statistically significant. There was found a statistically significant difference in terms of recurrence of the disease. Relapse was observed in group B 3 times higher than in group A. Localization of melanoma significantly affects the outcome of the treatment of the disease. There was a statistically significant difference in survival of respondents in groups, because the mortality rate in group B was almost three times higher.