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. 2012:2012:231693.
doi: 10.1155/2012/231693. Epub 2012 Dec 2.

Rising incidence of mucosal melanoma of the head and neck in the United States

David M Marcus  1 , Rebecca P Marcus, Roshan S Prabhu, Taofeek K Owonikoko, David H Lawson, Jeffrey Switchenko, Jonathan J Beitler
Affiliations

Rising incidence of mucosal melanoma of the head and neck in the United States

David M Marcus et al. J Skin Cancer. 2012.

Abstract

Background. While it is established that the incidence of cutaneous melanoma has risen over time in the United States, the incidence trend for mucosal melanoma of the head and neck (MMHN) is unknown. Methods. We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to determine incidence trends for MMHN from 1987 to 2009 in the United States. We determined annual percent change (APC) by weighted least squares and joinpoint regression analysis. Results. MMHN incidence increased from 1987 to 2009 (APC 2.4%; P < 0.01). Nasal cavity lesions increased in incidence (APC 2.7%; P < 0.01) over this duration, while the incidence of non-nasal cavity lesions remained stable. The highest rate of increase was in white females ages 55 to 84 (APC 5.1%; P = 0.01). Conclusions. The incidence of MMHN in the United States has been rising since 1987. This trend is driven primarily by increased incidence of nasal cavity melanomas.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Age-adjusted incidence rates (in cases per million persons per year) with Joinpoint regression trendlines for all patients with MMHN in SEER 9 registries from 1987 to 2009. The APC over this time period was 2.4%.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Age-adjusted incidence rates (in cases per million persons per year) with Joinpoint regression trendline for patients with melanoma of the nasal cavity in SEER 9 registries from 1987 to 2009. The APC over this time period was 2.7%.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Age-adjusted incidence rates (in cases per million persons per year) with Joinpoint regression trendline for white female patients ages 55 to 84 with MMHN in SEER 9 registries from 1987 to 2009. The APC over this time period was 5.1%.
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