XXXX in south-east Scotland.

@entity1 @entity5 @entity75 @entity320
This paper reports a retrospective study of 477 @entity1 with @entity320 presenting in the south-east of Scotland (lat. 55 degrees-56 degrees N) between 1961 and 1976. The mean annual incidence during the period 1971 to 1976 was 4.6/100 000 with females affected almost twice as often as males. The incidence has probably increased in the last 10 years. The median age at presentation was in the sixth decade in both sexes and 88 per cent of @entity1 had clinical Stage 1 disease when first seen. Primary lesions on the female lower leg accounted for a third of all @entity5 . @entity320 was the most common growth pattern. The overall five year survival rate was significantly less for males (48 per cent) compared with females (67 per cent). Other factors which had an independent effect on prognosis were the age of the @entity1 , the site of the @entity5 , its thickness and mitotic rate. The thickness of the @entity75 was the best index of prognosis, with the five year survival rate ranging from 97 per cent for @entity1 with @entity5 less than 0.5 mm deep to 38 per cent for those with @entity5 thicker than 3.5 mm. Although the relationship between @entity5 depth and duration of signs before treatment was not investigated, it seems likely that better survival figures will be achieved more by earlier diagnosis and treatment than by any change in management.
