[Malignant melanoma in the Ivory Coast. Epidemiologic and histo-prognostic aspects. Report of 195 cases].

Malignant melanomas (MM) are rare tumors of very bad prognosis. Few studies have precised the anatomopathological aspects and prognosis of these tumors in Africa and especially in Côte d'Ivoire. This has prompted us to review 195 cases of MM diagnosed in our laboratories in order to precise their epidemiological and anatomical features. Biopsies and/or surgical specimens fixed in 10% buffered formalin have been studied using the paraffin embedding methods and staining with hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome and Fontana. 117 men (60%) and 78 women (40%) with a medium age of 57 years were studied. Cutaneous MM were predominant (174 cases, 93%) with 57.8% located on the foot. Non classified (38.2%) and nodular (33.6%) forms were more frequent with only 19% of acral lentiginous melanomas. The prognosis of our cases was poor with 71% of levels IV or V according to Clark and Mihm, Breslow's thickness superior to 3 mm in 93% of cases and ulceration in 91.3%. Our study emphasizes the poor prognosis of MM in Côte d'Ivoire. These tumors are frequent in the elderly and located predominantly on the foot.