Scalp Melanoma: Distinctive High-Risk Clinical and Histological Features

The study conducted by the Victorian Melanoma Service over a 20-year period involved 1402 patients with 1469 melanomas, including 306 scalp melanomas. It found that scalp melanomas were more common in older men and had higher risk characteristics such as being amelanotic, rapidly growing, and often detected by someone other than the patient. These melanomas had a greater median Breslow thickness (2.8 mm) compared to other CHNM (1.2 mm), and were more likely to be nodular and have satellite metastases. The study emphasized the need for better recognition and early detection of scalp melanomas due to their high-risk features and tendency to be overlooked.