Research Article: Clinical characteristics and real-world survival in acral melanoma: experience from a comprehensive cancer center in Latin America
Abstract:
Acral melanoma represents a biologically distinct and clinically aggressive melanoma subtype disproportionately affecting non-Caucasian populations. Evidence from low- and middle-income countries remains limited, and the real-world impact of modern immunotherapy in these patients is not well characterized.
To describe clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and survival outcomes of patients with acral melanoma treated at a comprehensive cancer center in Latin America.
We conducted a retrospective cohort study including adult patients with histologically confirmed acral melanoma involving the palms, soles, or nail apparatus. Sociodemographic, clinical, pathological, and treatment data were collected. Overall survival was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared with the log-rank test.
Forty-seven patients with acral melanoma were included; 18 (38.3%) died during follow-up. Median age at diagnosis was 65.3 years, with less favorable survival observed among older patients. Estimated overall survival was 62.2% at 1 year and 59.4% at both 3 and 5 years. Females and patients aged ?65 years showed higher survival estimates across follow-up. Immunotherapy was the most frequently used systemic treatment.
Acral melanoma in this Latin American cohort showed unfavorable long-term survival, consistent with late-stage presentation and potential delays in detection, highlighting ongoing diagnostic and treatment shortfalls in middle-income settings. Real-world experience suggests that immunotherapy is being adopted in routine practice, while access to specialized care remains uneven. Multicenter regional studies are needed to better characterize outcomes and inform context-appropriate management strategies in underrepresented populations.
Introduction:
Acral melanoma represents a biologically distinct and clinically aggressive melanoma subtype disproportionately affecting non-Caucasian populations. Evidence from low- and middle-income countries remains limited, and the real-world impact of modern immunotherapy in these patients is not well characterized.
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