An analysis of melanoma epidemic characteristics and distribution in the eastern Chinese city Ningbo from 2011 to 2018.

Abstract

Melanoma is a malignant tumor with poor prognosis and increasing global incidence. Little is known about the burden of melanoma in eastern Chinese cities, as the results of previous studies are inconsistent or unclear. In this study, we collected incidence rate data from the Ningbo National Health Information Platform, diagnostic data from the Ningbo Clinicopathological Diagnosis Center, and other relevant data from the Ningbo Bureau of Statistics to evaluate temporal trends and geographic variation in melanoma incidence and to analyze the relationship between melanoma incidence and medical resource availability. The incidence of melanoma in Ningbo has increased significantly in the past 8 years. In 2018, melanoma incidence in Ningbo was 521.67% higher than that in 2011, which was higher than the increase in the national rate. This may be a result of our study including early melanoma, which has a faster increase rate than invasive melanoma. The incidence rate of melanoma in urban areas was significantly higher than that in rural districts. From 2011 to 2018, the incidence rate in rural districts increased by 794.15%, which was significantly higher than the incidence rate increase in urban areas (245.03%). All indicators relating to medical resources had a significant positive impact on melanoma incidence, indicating that the low incidence of melanoma is partly due to a lack of medical resources, which can lead to delayed treatment and increased disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Therefore, it is necessary to continue to strengthen investment in medical resources, especially in China's rural areas and western regions where medical resources are less available.