Background: Lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) is a subtype of melanoma that typically develops on sun-damaged skin. LMM is estimated to comprise 4∼15% of melanomas, but the prevalence is known to be relatively lower in the Korean population than in the Caucasian population.
Objective: To review the clinico-pathologic features and treatment outcomes of Korean patients with LMM.
Methods: Nineteen patients diagnosed with LMM during 2003∼2015, in the Yonsei University Health System, were included in this study. The age and sex of the patients, lesion location, thickness (Breslow), stage, treatment methods, BRAF, NRAS, and KIT mutation status, and survival rates were analyzed.
Results: Among the 19 Korean patients, 11 were male and 8 were female. The median age was 59.2 years. The most common site was the cheek (47.4%), followed by the scalp, eyelid, nose, forehead, lip, and neck. At the time of diagnosis, 13 patients were in localized stages (5 patients, stage 0; 3 patients, stage I; and 5 patients, stage II) and 6 patients were in advanced stages (3 patients, stage III; and 3 patients, stage IV). Patients in the localized stages showed better overall survival (OS) than those in the advanced stages (p=0.012). Nine patients were treated with a wide excision, and 6 using Mohs micrographic surgery. Three patients received high-dose interferon-α therapy; 6, chemotherapy; and 4, radiotherapy. Two patients in stage 0 were treated with topical ingenol mebutate. Two patients had BRAF V600E mutation; 1, NRAS G12R mutation; and 1, KIT mutation. Median OS of the patients was 40.8 months.
Conclusion: Our analysis provides additional information about clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of LMM in Korean patients.
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