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Trends in cutaneous malignant melanoma in Sweden 1997–2011: thinner tumours and improved survival among men
Author(s) -
Lyth J.,
Eriksson H.,
Hansson J.,
Ingvar C.,
Jansson M.,
Lapins J.,
MånssonBrahme E.,
Naredi P.,
Stierner U.,
Ullenhag G.,
Carstensen J.,
Lindholm C.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/bjd.13483
Subject(s) - medicine , hazard ratio , confidence interval , odds ratio , melanoma , proportional hazards model , population , demography , environmental health , cancer research , sociology
Summary Background Both patient survival and the proportion of patients diagnosed with thin cutaneous malignant melanoma ( CMM ) have been steadily rising in Sweden as in most Western countries, although the rate of improvement in survival appears to have declined in Sweden at the end of the last millennium. Objectives To analyse the most recent trends in the distribution of tumour thickness (T category) as well as CMM ‐specific survival in Swedish patients diagnosed during 1997–2011. Methods This nationwide population‐based study included 30 590 patients registered in the Swedish Melanoma Register ( SMR ) and diagnosed with a first primary invasive CMM during 1997–2011. The patients were followed through 2012 in the national Cause of Death Register. Results Logistic and Cox regression analyses adjusting for age at diagnosis, tumour site and healthcare region were carried out. The odds ratio for being diagnosed with thicker tumours was significantly reduced ( P < 0·001) and the CMM ‐specific survival significantly improved in men diagnosed during 2007–2011 compared with men diagnosed during 1997–2001 (hazard ratio = 0·81; 95% confidence interval 0·72–0·91; P < 0·001), while the corresponding differences for women were not significant. Women were diagnosed with significantly thicker tumours during 2002–2006 and a tendency towards decreased survival was observed compared with those diagnosed earlier (during 1997–2001) and later (during 2007–2011). Conclusions In Sweden, the CMM s of men are detected earlier over time and this seems to be followed by an improved CMM ‐specific survival for men. Women are still diagnosed with considerably thinner tumours and they experience a better survival than men.