Distribution of clinical-pathological types of cutaneous melanomas and mortality rate in the region of Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of all cases of primary cutaneous melanoma during the period 1995-2001, registered at pathology departments in the region of Passo Fundo. METHODS: The sample studied consisted of 229 primary cutaneous melanoma lesions, identified by anatomopathological reports, in 218 patients. The variables evaluated were: sex, age, anatomical site, histological type, level of invasion and tumor thickness. The rate of incidence, mortality and survival curve were calculated. RESULTS: The most frequent tumor site was in the back of men (49.5%) and in the lower limbs of women (33.1%). The most frequent clinical-pathological type for both sexes was the superficial expansive type (superficial spreading) at 61.6%. The level of invasion was higher in men, using Clark level III (30.3%), than in women. In women the most frequent level of invasion was Clark level II (33.1%). Of the total number of lesions, 198 (47.2%) were 4 mm) than the women. The incidence was 5.67 per 100,000 patients-year during this period and the mortality rate was 2.16 per 100,000 patients-year. CONCLUSIONS: In the sample studied the most common sites were in the back of men and in the legs of women. The predominant type clinical-pathological was superficial spreading.