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Is Incidence of Melanoma Increasing in the Elderly?
Mayo Clin Proc; ePub 2016 Sep 28; Olazagasti Lourido, et al
In both older men and women, the incidence of melanoma increased significantly over the past 4 decades, according to a recent study in Olmsted County, MN. From January 1, 1970, through December 31, 2009, 397 patients aged ≥61 years and who received a first lifetime diagnosis of melanoma during the study period were identified. The incidence of melanoma and overall and disease-specific survival rates were compared by age, sex, year of diagnosis, the state of disease. Researchers found:
- During the study period, age- and sex-adjusted incidence of melanoma increased significantly from 17.0 to 124.6 per 100,000 person-years, with a 4-fold increase in women and a >11-fold increase in men.
- Incidence rates in women increased over time, but were constant across all age groups.
- Stages 0 and 1 tumors in both men and women held the dramatic increase in incidence of melanoma.
- Disease-specific survival increased across the decades.
Olazagasti Lourido JM, Ma JE, Lohse CM, Brewer JD. Increasing incidence of melanoma in the elderly. [Published online ahead of print September 28, 2016]. Mayo Clin Proc. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.06.028.
Melanoma accounts for 3% to 5% of skin cancers, but causes approximately 75% of deaths from skin cancer. The incidence of melanoma is highest in white persons, males, those with a family history of melanoma, and increases with age. Clinically, the evaluation of melanoma can be helped by the ABCDE mnemonic—asymmetry, border irregularities, color variation, diameter (>6mm, the size of a pencil eraser), and evolution (the mole has changed).1 This increase in incidence in older adults is startling and helpful in raising our awareness of melanoma in older adults. —Neil Skolnik, MD
1. Shenenberger D. Cutaneous malignant melanoma: A primary care perspective. Am Fam Physician. 2012;85(2):161-168.