Malignant Melanoma in Queensland a Review

S ummary A study into malignant melanoma in Queensland commenced in 1963 and the findings are reviewed and the attitudes to management explained. The incidence of the disease is higher in Queensland than anywhere else in the world. This probably results from the long continued exposure of a susceptible white population to sunlight. Patients with suspected melanomas should be referred for definitive surgical treatment without preliminary biopsy. Local surgical treatment usually necessitates a wide excision and split skin graft. Routine elective lymphadenectomy is not indicated. The outlook for patients with melanoma is remarkably good in Queensland. There is an age‐adjusted cumulative five‐year survival of 87.7% for women and 73.6% for men. The treatment of patients with advanced or recurrent melanomas should be carried out in special clinics.