Abstract:
AIM: To document the anatomical distribution of melanoma,
extent of disease, results of treatment and survival
among black patients in the north-eastern part of South
Africa.
METHODS: All available histological material was
reviewed. All available addresses of patients were consulted
to establish the status of patients treated in the
drainage areas of, or referred to, Kalafong Hospital or
Pretoria Academic Hospital retrospectively and prospectively
for the 15-year period 1969 - 1983.
RESULTS: Of the 185 patients with melanoma who
were documented, 10 were eliminated for various
reasons. Among the remaining 175 patients there were
128 documented deaths, 35 patients having died of
melanoma within 1 year of presentation. Thirty patients
survived for more than 3 years.
Because of late presentation and the nature of the disease,
malignant melanoma has a very poor prognosis in
black patients in South Africa.
