Pattern of cutaneous melanoma at King AbdulAziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Objective: This study was performed to determine the pattern of CM (cutaneous melanoma) among Saudi patients at King AbdulAziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: The analysis included 139 skin cancers histological diagnosed among Saudi patients between Jan 1995 and Jan 2011. Pattern of CM by age, sex and anatomic location was examined along with the possible risk factors implicated. Results: Among the 139 cases of skin cancer in Saudis there were 16(11.5%) cases of CM. CM ranked as the fourth skin cancer in the order of frequency with a mean age of 52 years and equal gender distribution. The predominant pattern of distribution was acral 68.7%. Risk factors involved mainly were exposure to pesticides and history of high solar exposure in childhood. Conclusion: Incidence of CM continues to be remain relatively stable over a period of past two decades across different regions of the Kingdom which is contrary to the incidence and pattern of CM in the West. Risk factors other than UV radiation, such as occupational exposure to pesticides, variable UV radiation susceptibility, genetic predisposition could be involved among the Saudis.