Race-, Age-, and Anatomic Site-Specific Gender Differences in Cutaneous Melanoma Suggest Differential Mechanisms of Early- and Late-Onset Melanoma

Abstract

In order to explore melanoma risk factors through gender-, age-, race-, and site-specific incidence rates, malignant melanoma cases from the Caucasian whites and non-whites were retrieved from the US SEER database. Age-standardized, age-, and site-specific tumor rates were calculated. All races and both genders showed positive annual average percentage changes (AAPCs) over the years, but AAPCs varied at different body sites, with men’s trunk exhibiting the fastest increase. Non-whites were diagnosed at a significantly younger age than whites and showed a trend towards fewer gender differences in the age of diagnosis. However, non-whites and whites showed a similar pattern of age-specific gender differences in the incidence rate ratios. A consistent spiked difference (female vs. male, incidence rate ratio (IRR) >2) was observed at or near the age of 20–24 in all race groups and at all body sites. The highest female vs. male IRR was found in the hip and lower extremities, and the lowest IRR was found in the head and neck region in all races. These race-, gender-, and site-dependent differences suggest that age-associated cumulative sun exposure weighs significantly more in late-onset melanomas, while genetics and/or pathophysiological factors make important contributions to early-onset melanomas.

Effect of hypoxia factors gene silencing on ROS production and metabolic status of A375 malignant melanoma cells

“…Malignant melanoma is one of the most aggressive malignancies 26 . The epidemiology of malignant melanoma in Europe is based on three main factors; age (over 40 y), male gender, and location (head/neck, trunk, upper and lower extremity) [27][28][29][30] . The incidence of MM in Europe is increasing at a rate of 3-7%, 144,000 new cases per year, and 27,000 deaths per year 31 .…”

A Possible Link of Genetic Variations in ER/IGF1R Pathway and Risk of Melanoma

“…The GENEVA samples were potentially able to call all potential SNPs, and therefore, this might be another reason that we could not replicate the findings. Nevertheless, as demonstrated in our series of publications [2][3][4]7,81], the gender difference in melanoma incidence is significant but not yet fully explained. Meanwhile, studies on hormone impact on melanoma are still ongoing in our lab and other research groups.…”

“…CM ranked second in the national trends in rates of new cancer cases in both genders [1]. We and others have shown that there is a distinct age-and sex-dependent incidence pattern of CM [2][3][4][5][6]. Specifically, the incidence rates are higher in older men (>~50 years) but lower in younger men as compared to women of the same ages [5,7].…”

Epidemiology and Survival Outcomes for Eyelid Primary Malignant Melanoma: An Analysis of 1397 Cases in the SEER Database

“…Variables such as age at diagnosis, gender, race (White, Black, American Indian/AK Native (AIAN), and Asian/Pacific Islander (API)), origin (Non-Hispanic and Hispanic), year of diagnosis, primary laterality (left, right, bilateral, and side unspecified), histological type, AJCC stage, stage at diagnosis (localized, regional, and distant), metastasis, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy were extracted [ 17 ]. Histologic characteristics were categorized as melanoma not otherwise specified (NOS), Lentigo malignant melanoma (LMM), superficial spreading melanoma (SSM), nodular melanoma (NM), and others.…”