title: Melanoma in non-caucasian populations.
abstract: Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer and the sixth leading cause of malignancy in the United States. Non-Caucasians have a decreased overall incidence of melanoma, but African Americans and other ethnic groups often have more advanced disease at initial diagnosis and higher mortality rates than Caucasian populations. Patients with more darkly pigmented skin have a higher percentage of acral lentiginous melanoma, which presents on the palms, soles, and subungual sites and carries specific genetic alterations. Increased awareness of melanoma presentation in pigmented skin may help reduce disparities between ethnic groups.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stubblefield
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, 4.112 McCullough Building, Galveston, TX 77555-0783, USA. Electronic address: bckelly@utmb.edu.
authors.forename: Brent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000235:genetics; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
keywords: Acral lentiginous melanoma; Melanoma; Non-Caucasians