[Primary malignant melanoma of the skin. Retrospective study of 375 cases. Clinical aspects and histology].

The clinical and histologic features of 375 cases of primary malignant melanomas of the skin diagnosed and/or treated in the Hospital Clinic i Provincial (Barcelona, Spain) over a seven years period (1981-1987) were evaluated. The analysis of data showed many differences between these cases and those previously reported by us or from other countries. Sex incidence showed an increased frequency in women (58%), and a high incidence on lower limb in female (26% of all cases). Superficially spreading melanoma was the most common type (58%), followed by nodular melanoma (27%), acral lentiginous melanoma (8%) and lentigo maligna melanoma (6%). 57% of cases were diagnosed when the tumor thickness indicated a moderate or high-risk.