An association between cutaneous melanoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: pooled analysis of published data with a review.
BACKGROUND
Several epidemiological studies have suggested an association between cutaneous melanoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.


METHODS
We pooled the data from seven cohort studies and calculated the risk of secondary occurrence of cutaneous melanoma after non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma subsequent to the occurrence of cutaneous melanoma.


RESULTS
There were 137 612 patients with primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 109 532 patients with primary cutaneous melanoma. We found a statistically significant increased risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma among cutaneous melanoma survivors [standardised incidence ratio (SIR) 2.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.79-2.24] and cutaneous melanoma among non-Hodgkin's lymphoma survivors (SIR 1.41, 95% CI 1.26-1.58).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study confirmed an association between cutaneous melanoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma occurring in the same patient indicative of a need to examine further the role of the common risk factors.
Lens
M B
MB
Genetic Epidemiology Division, Cancer Research UK, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK. Markolens@aol.com
Newton-Bishop
J A
JA
D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000473:pathology*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology*; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D016019:Survival Analysis