title: Time trends in features of cutaneous melanoma at diagnosis: central-south Italy, 1962-1991.
abstract: A total of 1360 cases of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) consecutively diagnosed at the Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata (IDI) in Rome, during the period 1962-1991, were reviewed. There was a positive trend of thin (Breslow thickness < 1.49 mm) lesions at diagnosis in comparison to thick lesions, with more severe prognosis (p < 0.05). CMM on the trunk and upper legs increased more than CMM on the face (p < 0.05). There are suggestions that the incidence of CMM in the hospital referral population, resident in Central-South Italy, has been steadily rising. This trend could be due not only to a referral bias related to a growing public concern about "bad moles", but also to a real increase in the incidence of CMM.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata (IDI), Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cavalieri
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Macchini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mostaccioli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sonego
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ferranti
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Corona
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fucci
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marzolini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rosmini
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pasquini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015982:Bias; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects