[Cutaneous melanoma at the Turin Melanoma Center. Correlations of anamnestic data, histopathologic aspects and clinical picture in 306 stage-I patients (1990-1991)].

The correlation between anamnestic data, histological and clinical features in 306 stage I patients, studied at the Melanoma Centre in Turin during the period 1990-1991, have been analyzed. The somatic features, the distribution by sex and age, clinical findings, histological type, the Clark assessment and Breslow's thickness are reported. In a short interview, patients were asked about when the lesion and its modifications appeared. The patients have shown a low level of information about the risk of malignant melanoma. The answers prove totally unreliable and the comparison between anamnesis and histological picture has not helped to explain the natural history of melanoma. Both men and women with more formal education have been at greater risk for malignant melanoma than those with less education. The authors underline the importance of the public education campaign on early detection of this tumor.