Population-based incidence of conjunctival melanoma in various races and ethnic groups and comparison with other melanomas.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate racial and ethnic differences in the incidence of conjunctival melanoma in a large population-based study.


METHODS
Observational cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Using data from 1992 through 2003 provided by the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program, we calculated age-adjusted incidence rates of conjunctival melanoma in various racial and ethnic groups (Black, American Indian, Asian and Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic White). In addition, we calculated the standard incidence ratios (risk ratios) and 95% confidence intervals to describe the differences within these racial and ethnic groups.


RESULTS
From 1992 through 2003, there were a total of 168 conjunctival melanomas diagnosed in 13 SEER registries with known racial and ethnic groups. The annual age-adjusted incidence rates (per million population) of conjunctival melanoma was 0.18 (Blacks), 0.17 (American Indians), 0.15 (Asians), 0.33 (Hispanics), and 0.49 (non-Hispanic Whites). The difference in the incidence of conjunctival melanoma between Whites and Blacks or Asians was statistically significant, but was not significant between Blacks and Asians.


CONCLUSIONS
The overall White-to-Black incidence ratio in conjunctival melanoma was 2.6:1, which is much less than that of uveal melanoma (18:1) and cutaneous melanoma (13:1 to 26:1), but is similar to that of mucosal melanoma (2.2:1 to 2.3:1). The cause and significance of this difference of racial and ethnic incidence in various melanomas are discussed.
Hu
Dan-Ning
DN
Department of Pathology, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York, New York 10003, USA. dhu@nyee.edu
Yu
Guopei
G
McCormick
Steven A
SA
Finger
Paul T
PT
D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008545:Melanoma / Q000208:ethnology*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000208:ethnology*; D012042:Registries; D018426:SEER Program / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology