Patterns and trends in melanoma mortality in the United States, 1999-2020

• Published in: BMC cancer Vol. 24; no. 1; pp. 790 - 8
• Main Authors: Didier, Alexander J, Nandwani, Swamroop V, Watkins, Dean, Fahoury, Alan M, Campbell, Andrew, Craig, Daniel J, Vijendra, Divya, Parquet, Nancy
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 02.07.2024; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Analysis; Censuses; Demography; Dermoscopy; Development and progression; Disease control; Epidemiology; Female; Forecasts and trends; Health aspects; Humans; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Incidence; Ipilimumab; Male; Melanoma; Melanoma - epidemiology; Melanoma - mortality; Middle Aged; Morbidity; Mortality; Mortality - trends; Pacific Islander people; Patient outcomes; Population; Population studies; Rural Population - statistics & numerical data; Rural populations; Skin; Skin cancer; Skin Neoplasms - epidemiology; Skin Neoplasms - mortality; Trends; United States; United States - epidemiology; Urban populations; Young Adult; United States; United States > US; Dermoscopy; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; United States; Morbidity; Melanoma
• ISSN: 1471-2407; 1471-2407
• DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12426-z

Melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer, has witnessed a notable increase in incidence over the past decades. Despite advancements in treatment, it remains a significant cause of cancer mortality. Understanding demographic trends and variations in melanoma mortality is crucial for addressing disparities and implementing effective interventions. Using the Centers for Disease Control Wide Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) database, we analyzed melanoma mortality data in the United States from 1999 to 2020. Data were stratified by demographic and regional variables, and age-adjusted mortality rates were calculated. Descriptive analysis was performed and Joinpoint regression analysis was employed to identify temporal trends. Between 1999 and 2020, there were 184,416 melanoma-related deaths in the United States Overall, the age-adjusted mortality rate declined from 2.7 to 2.0 per 100,000 people at a rate of -1.3% annually, with significant variations across demographic groups and regions. Men, non-Hispanic White individuals, and those aged > 65 experienced higher mortality rates. Non-Hispanic White individuals noted the steepest decrease in AAMR after 2013 at a rate of -6.1% annually. Disparities were seen by geographic density, with rural populations exhibiting higher mortality compared to their urban and suburban counterparts. The study highlights a significant reduction in melanoma mortality in the U.S. since 2013, potentially attributed to advancements in diagnostic techniques such as dermoscopy and the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Disparities persist, particularly among rural populations. Targeted interventions focusing on increased screening and education are warranted to further mitigate melanoma mortality and address demographic disparities.