title: Risk factors for lentigo maligna melanoma compared with superficial spreading melanoma: a case-control study in Australia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate risk factors for lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) compared with superficial spreading melanoma (SSM).
  
  
  METHODS
  Population-based case-control study in Queensland, Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  General community.
  
  
  METHODS
  Population-based sample of 49 patients with LMM and 141 with SSM (in situ or invasive) aged 14 to 86 years at diagnosis in 1979 and 1980 and 232 control subjects. Response rates were 97.1% in cases and 91.8% in controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Risks of both subtypes in relation to phenotypic and environmental factors, estimated by multinomial logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of solar lentigines was the strongest determinant for LMM (odds ratio [OR], 15.93; P < .001 for trend) and significantly weaker for SSM (4.61; P < .001 for trend; P = .04 for homogeneity). Skin cancer history was significantly associated with LMM (OR, 2.84) but not with SSM (1.33; P = .07 for homogeneity). In contrast, the number of nevi was the strongest determinant for SSM (OR, 23.22; P < .001 for trend) while significantly weaker for LMM (3.60; P = .02 for trend; P < .001 for homogeneity). Multiple lifetime sunburns almost tripled the risk for SSM, whereas no association was detected with LMM (P = .04 for homogeneity). Shared risk factors for both subtypes were the number of solar keratoses (P < .001 for trend for both) and sun-sensitive complexion (ie, light eye/hair colors, sunburn propensity, and freckling) (2-fold to 5-fold increased risks).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A propensity to lentigines is a stronger predictor of LMM, whereas high nevus propensity is a stronger predictor of SSM. Skin cancer history appears to determine LMM risk only, whereas the number of lifetime sunburns determines SSM only. Prevention strategies could be tailored differently given these distinctive points of difference.
authors: Nutrition, Hormones, and Women’s Health Team, Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.
authors: Marina
authors: M
authors: Kvaskoff
authors: Victor
authors: V
authors: Siskind
authors: Adèle C
authors: AC
authors: Green
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018327:Hutchinson's Melanotic Freckle / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009506:Nevus / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010641:Phenotype; D011793:Queensland; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D013471:Sunburn / Q000150:complications; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult