title: Cutaneous melanoma in childhood and adolescence.
abstract: Using population-based data from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results Program of the National Cancer Institute, melanoma occurring during childhood was evaluated. Compared to adult cases of melanoma, childhood cases had a higher proportion of females (61%) and non-Caucasians (6.5%). The incidence of melanoma increased 85% among 15- to 19-year-olds from 1973 to 1996. Incidence for 15- to 19-year-olds was higher in southern (23.9/million) than northern registries (14.5/million). Non-Caucasians had 3-30% of the cases expected compared to Caucasians. Overall survival of children/adolescents with melanoma was 89% and 79% at 5 and 20 years postdiagnosis, respectively. The majority of deaths were directly attributed to melanoma (72%).
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA. mhamre@med.wayne.edu
authors.forename: Merlin R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Hamre
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chuba
authors.forename: Samee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bakhshi
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Richard K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Severson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality