Changing presentation of cutaneous malignant melanoma.

INTRODUCTION

The incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma is rapidly increasing in Denmark like in other Northern and Western European countries. Our objective was to investigate the characteristics of current patients suffering from cutaneous malignant melanoma.

METHODS

We evaluated patient and tumour characteristics in a cross-sectional study based on data from the Danish Melanoma Register. We included all patients diagnosed with cutaneous malignant melanoma in Healthcare Region Zealand in 2012 and 2013.

RESULTS

We identified 520 patients with invasive cutaneous malignant melanoma. More females than males suffered from cutaneous malignant melanoma. Furthermore, females were younger than males, and the anatomical distribution of malignant melanoma varied between the genders. Outcome of sentinel lymph node biopsy was associated with tumour thickness.

CONCLUSIONS

When comparing findings in our study with earlier Danish studies, we see a trend towards an increase in age at diagnosis. Furthermore, tumour thickness is decreasing and the topical distribution of cutaneous malignant melanoma in females changes towards a male pattern.

FUNDING: none.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study has been approved by the Danish National Data Protection Agency.