[Gender, tumor localization and regional metastases as prognostic factors in combined and complex treatment of cutaneous melanoma]

Data on 373 patients treated for cutaneous melanoma were evaluated to test a hypothesis whether there is a correlation between mechanism of protection from ultraviolet radiation and gender. Cutaneous melanoma of the extremities was identified in 63.2% of females and 26.6% of males (p0.001) versus 26.1% and 54.0%, respectively, with tumors of the trunk (p0.001). Five-year survival in women was 80.8% versus 76.9% in men in the first group (p0.2) and 59.5% and 50.0% , respectively, in the second one (p0.2). Hence, the correlation was concerned with tumor site rather than gender.