Understanding the trends in melanoma incidence and mortality: where do we stand?

Abstract

In previous decades melanoma incidence rates have risen spectacularly in white populations worldwide and a parallel - although more moderate - increase has been observed for melanoma mortality. More recently several reports have been made of a stabilization or decrease of mortality rates in the younger birth cohorts, resulting in a stabilization in the overall mortality in the 1980s for some populations. This article reviews past and current trends in melanoma epidemiology. It further handles the possible explanations for these trends and the currently available indications for or against these trends being brought about by real or artefactual influences. Time will undoubtedly reveal more about the truth.