Cutaneous melanoma in childhood and adolescence.
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%).
Hamre
Merlin R
MR
Department of Pediatrics and Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA. mhamre@med.wayne.edu
Chuba
Paul
P
Bakhshi
Samee
S
Thomas
Ron
R
Severson
Richard K
RK
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