Phenotypic Characteristics and Melanoma Thickness in Women

Abstract

Patients’ phenotypic characteristics might be associated with melanoma aggressiveness, but the evidence is scarce. This study examined the associations be­tween pigmentary characteristics, naevi and melanoma thickness. Data from the Norwegian Women and Cancer (NOWAC) study were analysed. By 2014, 1,243 women were diagnosed with a primary melanoma, and 1,140 had information on thickness. Using ordinal logistic regression models, the probability of being diagnosed with a specific thickness category was calculated by pigmentary score and naevi. Fair pigmentary score was associated with thinner trunk melanomas (probabilities of being diagnosed with a tumour ≤1.0 mm thickness were 74%, 66%, and 51% for fair, medium and dark pigmentary scores, respectively), but not the other sites. High number of naevi was associated with thicker nodular melanoma (NM) but not with super­ficial spreading melanoma. These findings suggest the need for greater overall vigilance and skin checks among women with fair pigmentary score. The association between naevi and NM suggest possible biological mechanisms.

Keywords

• cohort study
• pigmentary characteristics
• melanoma
• prognosis
• tumour thickness
• naevi