Histological subtypes of melanoma among people living with HIV in South Africa, 2004–2021
1
1 South African Field Epidemiology Training Program, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa, South African Field Epidemiology Training Program, Johannesburg, South Africa
2
2 School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
3
3 Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, and Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
4
4 National Cancer Registry, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
5
5 South African DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
6
6 School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2855
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
In sub-Saharan Africa, melanoma among people living with HIV (PLWH) is poorly characterized, with limited data on histological subtype-specific despite high HIV prevalence (1, 2). Understanding melanoma subtype patterns can guide targeted skin examinations, enhance clinician vigilance, and promote earlier detection.
METHODS:
We analyzed data from the South African HIV Cancer Match study, a nationwide cohort of PLWH, established through probabilistic record linkage of HIV-related laboratory records from the National Health Laboratory Service and cancer records from the National Cancer Registry (2004-2021) (3). Melanoma histological subtypes were classified using International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, Third Edition morphology codes: superficial spreading melanoma (8743/3), nodular melanoma (8721/3), acral lentiginous melanoma (8744/3), and lentigo maligna melanoma (8742/3) (4). Histological subtype distribution is summarized by descriptive statistics stratified by sex and population groups and age.
RESULTS:
Among 9,415,806 PLWH, 123 were diagnosed with melanoma. Acral lentiginous melanoma was the most frequent subtype (n=59), followed by superficial spreading melanoma (n=33), nodular melanoma (n=28), and lentigo maligna melanoma (n=3). Males accounted for most diagnoses. The median age of melanoma diagnosis was 39 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 30–48). Superficial spreading melanoma occurred predominantly among White PLWH with a median age of 39 years (IQR: 30–50), while acral lentiginous and nodular melanoma largely affected Black PLWH (92%) with a median age of 44 years (IQR: 38–52) and 42 years (IQR: 36–52), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS:
In a high HIV setting, melanoma among PLWH occurred at younger ages. Histological subtype distribution mirrored patterns observed in the general population, except for nodular melanoma. Findings highlight the need for response for targeted, histological subtype-informed screening, heightened clinician awareness and training, and routine skin surveillance to promote earlier melanoma detection among PLWH.
In sub-Saharan Africa, melanoma among people living with HIV (PLWH) is poorly characterized, with limited data on histological subtype-specific despite high HIV prevalence (1, 2). Understanding melanoma subtype patterns can guide targeted skin examinations, enhance clinician vigilance, and promote earlier detection.
METHODS:
We analyzed data from the South African HIV Cancer Match study, a nationwide cohort of PLWH, established through probabilistic record linkage of HIV-related laboratory records from the National Health Laboratory Service and cancer records from the National Cancer Registry (2004-2021) (3). Melanoma histological subtypes were classified using International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, Third Edition morphology codes: superficial spreading melanoma (8743/3), nodular melanoma (8721/3), acral lentiginous melanoma (8744/3), and lentigo maligna melanoma (8742/3) (4). Histological subtype distribution is summarized by descriptive statistics stratified by sex and population groups and age.
RESULTS:
Among 9,415,806 PLWH, 123 were diagnosed with melanoma. Acral lentiginous melanoma was the most frequent subtype (n=59), followed by superficial spreading melanoma (n=33), nodular melanoma (n=28), and lentigo maligna melanoma (n=3). Males accounted for most diagnoses. The median age of melanoma diagnosis was 39 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 30–48). Superficial spreading melanoma occurred predominantly among White PLWH with a median age of 39 years (IQR: 30–50), while acral lentiginous and nodular melanoma largely affected Black PLWH (92%) with a median age of 44 years (IQR: 38–52) and 42 years (IQR: 36–52), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS:
In a high HIV setting, melanoma among PLWH occurred at younger ages. Histological subtype distribution mirrored patterns observed in the general population, except for nodular melanoma. Findings highlight the need for response for targeted, histological subtype-informed screening, heightened clinician awareness and training, and routine skin surveillance to promote earlier melanoma detection among PLWH.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
