Melanoma Incidence in Children and Adolescents: Decreasing Trends in the United States

Abstract

Objective: To assess trends in the incidence of melanoma in children and adolescents in the US from 2000-2010.

Study design: Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registry data, we calculated age-adjusted incidence rates of melanoma in children and adolescents (age <20 years) from 2000-2010, as well as annual percent changes. We analyzed incidence trends using joinpoint regression models. We further stratified incidence rates and trends by age group, sex, race, and melanoma-specific characteristic (histology, anatomic site, Breslow depth, ulceration status, lymph node involvement, and presence of metastasis).

Results: We included 1185 pediatric patients (age <20 years) diagnosed with melanoma from 2000-2010. In patients age <20 years overall, we found a significant decreasing incidence (11.58% per year) from 2004-2010. Overall, significant decreasing incidence trends were also noted in males, melanoma located on the trunk, melanoma located on the upper extremities, superficial spreading melanoma, and melanoma with good prognostic indicators. When further subdividing the pediatric population by age group, these significant decreasing incidence trends were most notable in adolescents (age 15-19 years), decreasing 11.08% per year from 2003-2010. Furthermore, in 15- to 19-year-olds, decreasing trends were found to be significant in melanoma located on the trunk, superficial spreading melanoma, and melanoma with good prognostic indicators.

Conclusions: Decreasing trends in melanoma incidence in the pediatric population from 2000-2010 stand in contrast to previous reports of increasing long-term incidence trends. Possible contributors to these decreasing trends include effective public health initiatives, decreased time spent outdoors, and increased sunscreen use.