The Relationship Between Melanoma Thickness and Time to Diagnosis in a Large Population-Based Study

Coping styles in decision-making among men and women diagnosed with malignant melanoma

“…Although the tumour thickness is an important prognostic factor measured by Breslow's scale, it does not take into account the specific characteristics of various melanoma types, such as rapidly growing NM (Demierre et al, 2005). NM has been identified as the most significant predictor for higher tumour thickness, and therefore, thickness might not always be attributable to delay (Baade et al, 2006). In this study, we did not find any significant relations between thickness and coping styles, even when we excluded those with NM.…”

Clinical and diagnostic features of in situ melanoma and superficial spreading melanoma: a hospital based study

“…39 A recent large retrospective study found a relationship between diagnosis delay and Breslow's thickness only for nodular melanomas, characterized by a more aggressive growth. 40 In the present study, the only variables significantly associated with an early diagnosis of melanoma were, age older than 45 and the site of melanoma in a not easily visible site. Adult patients are at a greater risk for melanoma and they also usually undergo medical examinations for various reasons, and therefore they have more chances of being referred to a dermatologist.…”

Racial and ethnic variations in incidence and survival of cutaneous melanoma in the United States, 1999-2006

“…29,40 Delay in diagnosis (ie, the time between recognition of an abnormality and diagnosis of melanoma) has been found to be associated with the thickness of nodular melanoma but not with other histologic types in a large populationbased study. 41 The lower survival among nonwhite groups than whites in this study was mainly attributable to an advanced stage and thicker tumors at diagnosis among nonwhites. 3,8,42,43 Numerous factors may be responsible for delay in melanoma diagnosis including inadequate education on melanoma awareness, limited access or barriers to medical care, possible decreased suspicion by providers for melanoma among nonwhite patients, occurrence of lesions in less noticeable body sites such as the sole of the foot, and presence of race-and ethnicity-specific genetic alterations.…”