Cure of cutaneous melanoma
BMJ 2006; 332 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.332.7548.987 (Published 27 April 2006) Cite this as: BMJ 2006;332:987- J Meirion Thomas (meirion@roseway.demon.co.uk), consultant surgeon,
- Victoria Giblin, research registrar
- Royal Marsden Hospital, London SW3 6JJ
- Royal Marsden Hospital, London SW3 6JJ
Melanoma is a deadly but potentially curable disease. Its main cause, and the sole controllable factor, is excessive if intermittent exposure to sunlight, particularly in childhood and adolescence.1 2 The incidence of melanoma is rising faster than for any other cancer and is approximately doubling every decade, although survival rates are improving in developed countries (the United Kingdom, for example, has experienced a 30% improvement since the 1970s). Mortality in general increases with age, especially in men (figure).3
The cause for the difference in mortality between men and women may be related to primary tumour site. Melanomas of the back may drain to several lymph node basins; they are more common in men than women and their position makes them difficult for patients to find themselves.
Some recent evidence from Australia, which has the highest incidence in the world, shows that although the overall incidence of melanoma continues to rise, some rates are stabilising. For example, one study shows that the rate of increase of in situ melanoma is falling,4 and the incidence of …
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