MULTIPLE PRIMARY MELANOMA — A REVIEW OF 90 CASES

In a restrospective study of 3,128 patients with primary melanoma, 90 were found to have more than one primary lesion, an incidence of 2.9%. Wherever possible, comparisons were made between single and multiple primary lesion patients with reference to age. Sex, racial background, skin, hair, eye colouring, distribution and characteristics of the primary melanoma lesions. Patients with one melanoma had a greater risk of developing another and their skin appeared to be more susceptible to sun damage. Patients with multiple abnormal pigmented naevi also had an increased risk of developing a second primary melanoma. Having one primary lesion tended to alert both patient and doctor and resulted in earlier diagnosis of the second lesion. Although these patients developed multiple melanomas, their prognosis was more favourable than in patients with a single primary melanoma.