Gender differences in pediatric and adolescent melanoma: A retrospective analysis of 4645 cases

Background: There is paucity of data on how gender impacts melanoma prognosis in pediatric and adolescent patients.

Objectives: This study explores gender differences in presentation and survival among pediatric and adolescent patients with melanoma.

Methods: The National Cancer Database 2004-2018 was queried for cases of primary invasive cutaneous melanoma in pediatric and adolescent patients (birth to 21 years) for a retrospective cohort study.

Results: Of the 4645 cases, 63.4% were female. Median Breslow depth was 1.05 mm for males (interquartile range 0.50-2.31) and 0.80 mm for females (interquartile range 0.40-1.67; P < .001). Trunk was the most common primary site for females (34.3%) and males (32.9%). More females than males were diagnosed with stage I disease (67.8% vs 53.6%). Males had higher rates of regional lymph node positivity (27.9% vs 18.1%; P < .001) and ulceration (17.1% vs 11.4%; P < .001). Five-year overall survival was 95.9% for females and 92.0% for males (P < .001). After adjusting for confounders, male gender independently increased mortality risk (reference: females; adjusted hazard ratio 1.57; 95% confidence interval 1.32-1.86).

Limitations: Retrospective study.

Conclusion: Males exhibited more aggressive pathologic features including greater Breslow thickness and higher ulceration and lymph node positivity rates. Male gender independently increased mortality risk.