Up-to-date survival estimates and historical trends of cutaneous malignant melanoma in the south-east of The Netherlands.
BACKGROUND
We present survival outcomes of patients registered in the Dutch population-based Eindhoven Cancer Registry (ECR).


METHODS
Data on patients diagnosed with a melanoma between 1980 and 2002 were obtained from the ECR. Data on vital status up to 1 January 2005 were obtained, up-to-date survival rates were calculated using period analysis. Multivariate analyses were carried out using Cox proportional hazards model.


RESULTS
Ten-year crude survival rates were 82% for women and 60% for men (P < 0.05). Thin melanomas (Breslow thickness <or= 2.0 mm) had 5-year crude survival rates >74%, for melanomas >4.0 mm these rates were <65% (P < 0.05). In the early 1980s, 5-year relative survival rates were 84% and 62% for young (<60 years) women and men, and 66% and 69%, respectively, for the elderly (aged 60+). In the period 2000-2002, these rates had improved to >90% for females and to >72% for males. Multivariate analyses showed increased hazard ratios with increasing age and Breslow thickness, being male, having a melanoma on the trunk or unknown sites and having a nodular melanoma.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the absence of improvements in treatment options for melanoma, survival improved significantly, except for elderly males.
de Vries
E
E
Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. e.devries@erasmusmc.nl
Houterman
S
S
Janssen-Heijnen
M L G
ML
Nijsten
T
T
van de Schans
S A M
SA
Eggermont
A M M
AM
Coebergh
J W W
JW
D005260:Female; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000266:history / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000266:history / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors