Malignant melanoma in Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi
Kakande, I.
East African Medical Journal 57(7): 475-483
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0012-835X PMID: 7398564 Document Number: 164180
A study of 85 malignant melanoma African patients carried out at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) is presented. The male:female ratio was 3:4, the mean age was 52.2 yr, and the peak incidence was in the 7th decade of life. Although the average duration of symptoms was shorter in men, there were less females (6.1%) in stage III than males (27.8%). Eightly-two percent of melanoma lesions in men were > 3 cm as compared with 42.3% in the women. The commonest symptoms were swelling and ulceration. Four deaths (4.7%), all in men, occurred in hospital. This paper compares the findings with the experiences reported in other countries and discusses the current views on the etiology and treatment of malignant melanoma.