DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2016.v04i04.002

Pages: 1109-1111

Malignant melanoma is a tumour originating from the melanocytes. It often presents as dark brown discoloration on the affected area and sometimes with ulceration and necrosis. There has been an increasing incidence of this lesion worldwide with distance metastasis. The study attempts to review the age presentation and anatomic presentation of melanoma in Calabar over a period of 30years (1979-2008), using the histologic registers of the Department of Pathology, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar. The lesions were seen predominantly within the lower extremity with no gender preference. The tumour peaked at 6th decade of life. It was concluded that malignant melanoma is mainly a tumour of lower extremity in Calabar compared to sun exposed area in other parts of the world.