Malignant melanoma of the skin in Blacks in formidable and sinister tumour. This 
study is concerned with the epidemiology of malignant melanoma, as seen in both 
urban and rural Black Africans. A smaller series in which follow-up on the 
patients was available is included. To our knowledge, this is the first study of 
its kind in which follow-up, and hence survival figures, can be quoted. Although 
the numbers are relatively small, they provide a valuable indication of the 
behaviour of melanomas in this group. The difficulties of follow-up cannot be 
overemphasised, and follow-up on 79 cases out of 100 could be obtained only by 
the employment of an able and enthusiastic Black social worker for 3 years. The 
first recorded survival figures in a Black population show a 3-year survival 
rate of only 28,4%. Prognosis is related to the size and extent of the tumour 
with larger and more widespread tumours faring worse than others. The incidence 
of malignant melanoma in Johannesburg Black was 1,2 per 100 000 and accounted 
for 2% of all cancers. The largest number of cases occurred in the 50- 70-year 
age group and there was a female preponderance. As in previous studies, the 
sites predominantly affected were the foot and the hand, mainly on the plantar 
and palmar surfaces.