Survival time distribution of advanced stage metastatic melanoma among whites and minority populations in Florida, 1996-2010

Differences in genetic profiles and environmental exposure may impact on the prognostic factors of metastatic melanoma with major implications on survival of minorities with advanced stage disease at presentation. This study determines the impact of stage at diagnosis, tumor location, grade and histologic type on overall survival time distribution among non-Hispanic Whites, Hispanic Whites and African Americans in Florida. A dataset of 80,349 Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW), African Americans (AA) and Hispanics Whites (HW) stage III and IV metastatic melanoma patients at presentation was obtained from Florida Cancer Data System (FCDS). Measures related to impact of stage at diagnosis, anatomic/primary site or tumor location, grade and histologic type on overall survival time distribution across racial groups are reported. Data were analyzed using SAS. Mean time univariate and multivariate survival statistics across races were analyzed by Kaplan-Meir Method and the nonparametric Log Rank Tests were used to test homogeneity of survival curves. Significant differences in survival time are reported among the races in primary sites, histology and stage at diagnosis, but not in terms of tumor grade; survival curve distributions were still significantly different even when adjustments were made for age, nodes, lymphatic invasion and tumor size.