Melanoma Prognosis (mortality)
- Melanoma is a skin cancer
- Lifetime risk of developing melanoma within the entire caucasian population is estimated to be 1:535 individuals.
- Incidence is higher in individuals with fair skin who have been exposed to high levels of UV-B radiation.
- The melanoma accounts for only 4% of skin cancers, but for 79% of skin-cancer related deaths.
- Mortality rates are higher in males than in females.
- Death rates are higher in individuals with fair skin.
- From 2002 to 2006, the median age at death due to metastatic melanoma of the skin was 68 years.
- Frequency and mortality rates are highest in Australia and New Zealand.
- The 5-year survival rate for patients with advanced melanoma is less than 10%.
- In melanoma patients, survival is strongly related to tumor thickness; earlier diagnosis and complete excision of lesions may thus lead to a decline in mortality for such a disease.
- Depth of ≤ 1 mm (Breslow thickness) without ulceration, is associated with an excellent prognosis (95% 5-year survival rate)
- Depth of > 4 mm has a poor prognosis (40% 5-year survival rate), as reported by the American Joint Committee on Cancer.
- Source:Paolo A Ascierto and al. National Cancer Institute, Naples, Italy. BMC Dermatology. 2010
