People developing a melanoma on their scalp or neck were almost twice as likely to die within five years compared to those who had lesions on other parts of their body, according to a study published on Monday.

Researchers at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill analyzed data on 51,704 people diagnosed with melanoma in the United States from 1992 to 2003 and found people with scalp or neck melanomas died at nearly twice the rate of those with melanoma elsewhere on the body.

“Melanoma is a skin cancer that is derived from the pigment cells in the skin. It's the most deadly type of skin cancer. It can metastasize (spread to other parts of the body) early when the lesions are still quite small,” Dr. Nancy Thomas of the UNC School of Medicine and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, said in a telephone interview, according to Reuters.

The five-year survival rate for patients with scalp-neck melanomas was 83 percent, compared with 92 percent for patients with melanomas at other sites. The 10-year survival rate was 76 percent for scalp-neck melanomas and 89 percent for other melanomas.

The findings confirm that melanoma patient survival rates differ depending on where the cancer first appeared, the researchers said. Dr. Thomas said doctors need to pay close attention to the scalp, when examining patients for signs of skin cancer. Earlier detection and treatment often results in better survival rates. “Only 6 percent of melanoma patients present with the disease on the scalp or neck, but those patients account for 10 percent of melanoma deaths. That's why we need to take extra time to look at the scalp during full-skin examinations.”

Melanoma can be linked to sun exposure, especially sunburns during childhood. People with fairer skin are at elevated risk. That’s why it’s for the best to cover up well when exposing the body to intense sunshine.

“Generally, when people are protecting themselves from the sun, the head and neck do not receive the same attention as the rest of the body. You must not ignore your neck and scalp. This new piece of research highlights the importance of this, so make sure that you always wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your scalp, face and neck too,” British Skin Foundation representative Indy Rihal said as quoted by the BBC News.

According to the American Cancer Society, there will be 62,480 new cases of melanoma diagnosed in 2008.

The study’s findings appeared in the April issue of the Archives of Dermatology.