Trends in Incidence and Mortality of Skin Melanoma in Lithuania 1991–2015

Audrius Dulskas,Vincas Urbonas,Ieva Vincerževskiene,Dovile Cerkauskaite

doi:10.3390/ijerph18084165

Abstract

Background. We aimed to investigate age-specific and sex-specific incidence trends of melanoma in Lithuania from 1991 to 2015. Methods. Analysis was based on data from the population-based Lithuanian Cancer Registry database for 1991–2015, and 6024 cases of skin melanoma were identified. Age-adjusted rates (ASRs) by sex and age group were calculated. Adjustment for ASRs was done using the old European standard population, where a total of three age groups were considered: 0–39, 40–59 and 60+. Additionally, the annual percent change (APC) was calculated, and 95% confidence intervals for APC were calculated. Results. Between 1991 and 2015, the overall melanoma rates increased by an annual percent change (APC) of 3.9% in men (95% CI, 3.6–4.1%) and 2.3% in women (95% CI, 2.1–2.5%). The highest incidences of new cutaneous melanoma cases were observed between old adults (60+) of both sexes, while the lowest incidence rates were observed in the young adult group (up to 39 years old), with the lowest APC (1.6% in males and 0.4% in females). The overall number of melanoma deaths during 1991 and 2015 increased from 64 to 103 deaths per year, and the age-standardized rate (ASR) increased 1.3 times (from 1.8 to 2.4). Conclusions. The incidence and mortality of skin melanoma seem to be increased in all age groups. These trends indicate that skin protection behavior is not sufficient in our population and more efforts need to be taken in order to decrease incidence and mortality rates.

Highlights

Despite the variety of available prevention strategies, the incidence of melanoma is increasing throughout the world
Between 1991 and 2015, the overall melanoma rates increased by an annual percent change (APC) of 3.9% in men and 2.3% in women
The incidence rate of cutaneous melanoma was higher among females, with 95 new cases in 1991 and 207 new cases in 2015; among men, only new cases were diagnosed in 1991 and 139 new cases were diagnosed in 2015 (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

Despite the variety of available prevention strategies, the incidence of melanoma is increasing throughout the world. It is the 19th most common cancer worldwide [1]. According to GLOBOCAN 2020, Australia and New Zealand are the leading countries with the highest age-standardized melanoma incidence rates, with 30.4 new cases in women and 41.6 new cases in men per 100,000 population in 2020 [2]. 57,000 new deaths from melanoma worldwide in 2020 [2]. Increasing incidence trends of cutaneous melanoma are seen in the majority of countries, including the United States, European countries and the United Kingdom [3,4,5]

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