Cutaneous malignant melanoma: epidemiological considerations.

Large geographic and ethnic variations in incidence and mortality rates of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) suggest inverse correlations with the degree of skin pigmentation and latitude. Increases in CMM incidence and mortality rates have occurred in virtually all white populations, more markedly in those that permanently (immigrants) or temporarily (tourists/vacationers) reside in very sunny areas outside their primitive living environment. The interpretation of data from case-control studies is, however, hampered by the difficulties in quantifying retrospectively, but reliably, CMM risk correlates (e.g., host factors, sun exposure, clothing habits, sunburns) in various periods during the life span. There is, thus, a need for large prospective studies on the development of CMM and naevi, ideally in different contexts as concerns host factors, sun exposure, and other life-style habits within and across different populations.