Abstract
This paper describes the clinical characteristics of 14 cases of malignant melanoma treated in our department during a period of five years from 1997 to 2001 and their prognosis. Excluding one case whose stage could not be defined, five cases recognized at the early stage have survived, and six cases out of eight at the progressive stages were dead within one year after their first visit. When it came to the clinical characteristics, nine cases were primary cutaneous melanomas and five cases were metastatic carcinomas. Acral lentiginous melanomas, histopathologically the most common type of melanoma in Japan, were found in seven cases of the total 14 (50%). Most of the patients were aware of the primary lesions but left them untreated. Generally speaking, malignant melanoma grow rapidly and prognosis is poor because the cure rate by chemotherapy is low. To realize earlier detection and treatment, we thought it is crucial to educate the public, have the general practitioners understanding more about the malignancy of the skin neoplasm and to build up a collaborative relationship between medical professionals.
