Melanoma epidemic: true or false?
Melanoma incidence has increased dramatically over the last decades in most industrial countries, mainly as a result of the large numbers of early melanomas being diagnosed. Simultaneously, a lack of commensurate change in mortality has been reported, raising the possibility that skin melanoma may have modified its aggressiveness as a result of the increased diagnosis of biologically benign lesions. The main data and controversies arising from the melanoma epidemic are reviewed.
Flórez
Angeles
A
Department of Dermatology, Complejo Hospitalario de Pontevedra, C/Loureiro Crespo 2, Pontevedra 36001, Spain. angeflor@hotmail.com
Cruces
Manuel
M
D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008545:Melanoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology