Cutaneous malignant melanoma incidence and mortality trends in Canada: A comprehensive population-based study

Background: The incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) is on the rise in many parts of the world. However, there is limited knowledge on the epidemiology of CMM in Canada. Objective: To conduct a comprehensive population-based study of CMM in Canada. Methods: We examined patient clinical and pathologic characteristics as well as the incidence and mortality trends of CMM in Canada using 3 independent population-based registries. Results: In total, 72,565 Canadian patients were given CMM diagnoses during 1992-2010; 47.5% were women. Average age at the time of diagnosis was 56.5 years for women and 60.4 years for men. We report a steady increase in CMM incidence and mortality rates in both sexes. The overall incidence rate of CMM in Canada was 12.29 cases/100,000 person-years. We also report important differences in the incidence and mortality rates between Canadian provinces and territories; the highest incidence of this cancer was documented in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Limitations: Data on race, clinical disease stage, and Breslow depth of CMM was not available. Conclusion: This study, for the first time, defines the disease burden of CMM in Canada and highlights important longitudinal, geographic, and spatial differences in the distribution of CMM in this country.