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. 2007 Jun 4;96(11):1772-7.
doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6603801. Epub 2007 May 29.

Melanoma incidence and mortality in Scotland 1979-2003

R M MacKie  1 , C Bray, J Vestey, V Doherty, A Evans, D Thomson, M Nicolson; Scottish Melanoma Group
Affiliations

Melanoma incidence and mortality in Scotland 1979-2003

R M MacKie et al. Br J Cancer. .

Abstract

We studied 12,450 cases of invasive melanoma diagnosed in Scotland in 1979-2003, by thickness, pathological type, and body site at ages under 40, 40-59, and 60 years and over. Melanoma incidence trebled in males from 3.57 to 10.93/10(5) per year, and increased 2.3-fold in females from 5.60 to 12.96/10(5) per year. The rate of increase fell in each successive 5-year period. The greatest increase was in males aged 60 years and over at diagnosis. Significant incidence increases were seen in melanomas < 1 mm in all three age groups, but those > 4 mm only increased significantly at ages 60 years and over. All histological types increased significantly at ages 60 years and over, and in this age group the greatest increase was seen on the head and neck. Five-year disease-free survival improved steadily. Survival figures for 1994-1998 ranged from 93.6% for males and 95.8% for females with tumours < 1 mm, to 52.4 and 48.3%, respectively, for those with tumours > 4 mm. Over the 25 years, melanoma mortality doubled in males from 1.1 to 2.4/10(5) per year, but was unchanged in females at 1.5/10(5) per year. Public education on melanoma is required both for primary prevention and earlier diagnosis, particularly for older males.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Changes in melanoma incidence 1979–2003 by age group for primary tumours <1.0 and 4 mm and over at diagnosis. *P<0.001 when 1979–1983 and 1999–2003 cohorts are compared.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Changes in melanoma incidence 1979–2003 by body site and age group. *P<0.001 when 1979–83 and 1999–2003 cohorts are compared.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mortality from melanoma of the skin in Scotland 1980–2003.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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