Population-based incidence of uveal melanoma in various races and ethnic groups.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate racial/ethnic differences in the development of uveal malignant melanoma in a large population-based study.


METHODS
Observational cross-sectional study.


METHODS
With the 1992 to 2000 data that was provided by the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, we calculated age-adjusted incidence rates of uveal melanoma in various racial/ethnic groups (black, Asian and Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic white). In addition, we calculated the standard incidence ratio (risk ratio) and 95% confidence interval to describe the differences within these racial/ethnic groups.


RESULTS
From 1992 to 2000, there were a total of 1352 uveal melanomas that were diagnosed in 11 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries with known racial/ethnic groups. The annual age-adjusted incidence (per million population) of uveal melanoma was 0.31 (black), 0.38 (Asian), 1.67 (Hispanic), and 6.02 (non-Hispanic white). The difference in the incidence of uveal melanoma between each racial/ethnic group was highly statistically significant, with the exception of the black versus the Asian population in which there was no statistically significant difference.


CONCLUSIONS
The relative risk of uveal melanoma was 1.2 for Asian and Pacific Islander patients, 5.4 for Hispanic patients, and 19.2 for non-Hispanic white patients as compared with the black patients. If the non-Hispanic white population and the Hispanic population were combined, then the overall white:black ratio was 18:1.
Hu
Dan-Ning
DN
Department of Pathology, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York, New York 10003, USA. hu2095@yahoo.com
Yu
Guo-Pei
GP
McCormick
Steven A
SA
Schneider
Susan
S
Finger
Paul T
PT
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000208:ethnology*; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D018426:SEER Program / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology*