Malignant melanoma in South Wales: changing trends in presentation (1986-98)

In 1990 we reported the trends in presentation of malignant melanoma (MM) from 1986 to 1988 in a defined population in South Wales. Ten years after this initial study we reassessed the incidence of invasive MM in this defined population over a similar 3 year period. Using the local skin cancer registry we identified 186 cases of MM representing a 74% increase. Age standardization to the world population gives an overall incidence of 11.8 per 100 000 population per annum. This is the highest published standard incidence of MM to date from the UK and certainly one of the highest in Europe. We also have observed a continuing trend for diagnosis of thinner lesions with a better prognosis. Information about mortality for the whole of Wales over the corresponding period is also presented.