title: Epidemiology of melanoma: is it still epidemic? What is the role of the sun, sunbeds, Vit D, betablocks, and others?
abstract: The incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma is continuously increasing worldwide, but only minimal changes in mortality have been observed. This phenomenon has brought into question whether this increased incidence reflects a true or apparent melanoma epidemic. The most recent data suggest that this epidemiological trend may be explained by the existence of a certain degree of melanoma overdiagnosis, especially of thin lesions, which probably would never progress to advanced disease if left untreated. However, acute sun exposure and widespread use of sunbeds may also justify the increase in melanoma incidence. Recently, both vitamin D and beta-blocker use seem to play a beneficial role in melanoma progression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. vincenzo.degiorgi@unifi.it
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Giorgi
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gori
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grazzini
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rossari
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Oranges
authors.forename: Anna Sara
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Longo
authors.forename: Torello
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lotti
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gandini
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D018450:Disease Progression; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008545:Melanoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D013473:Sunscreening Agents; D014807:Vitamin D