title: Differences in clinicopathological features and distribution of risk factors in Italian melanoma patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  No studies are available in the literature on the distribution of different melanoma features and risk factors in the Italian geographical areas.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify the differences in clinical-pathological features of melanoma, the distribution of risk factors and sun exposure in various Italian macro-areas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multicentric-observational study involving 1,472 melanoma cases (713 north, 345 centre, 414 south) from 26 referral centres belonging to the Italian Multidisciplinary Group for Melanoma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Melanoma patients in northern regions are younger, with thinner melanoma, multiple primaries, lower-intermediate phototype and higher counts of naevi with respect to southern patients; detection of a primary was mostly connected with a physician examination, while relatives were more involved in the south. Northern patients reported a more frequent use of sunbeds and occurrence of sunburns before melanoma despite sunscreen use and a lower sun exposure during the central hours of the day.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The understanding of differences in risk factors distribution could represent the basis for tailored prevention programmes.
authors: Dermatologic Clinic, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
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authors: Fava
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authors: Astrua
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authors: Chiarugi
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authors: Crocetti
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authors: Pimpinelli
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authors: Fargnoli
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authors: Maurichi
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authors: Rubegni
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authors: Bottoni
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authors: Catricalà
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authors: Cavicchini
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authors: Santinami
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authors: Alaibac
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authors: Annetta
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authors: Borghi
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authors: Calzavara Pinton
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authors: Capizzi
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authors: Clerico
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authors: Colombo
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authors: Corradin
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authors: De Simone
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authors: Fantini
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authors: Ferreli
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Filosa
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Girgenti
authors: E
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authors: Giulioni
authors: C
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authors: Guarneri
authors: A
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authors: Lamberti
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authors: Lisi
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authors: Nardini
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Papini
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Peris
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authors: MA
authors: Pizzichetta
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authors: Salvini
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authors: Savoia
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authors: Strippoli
authors: E
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authors: Tolomio
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Tomassini
authors: G A
authors: GA
authors: Vena
authors: L
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authors: Zichichi
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Patrizi
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Argenziano
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authors: Simonacci
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authors: Quaglino
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*