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07:41
A Robust Discovery Platform for the Identification of Novel Mediators of Melanoma Metastasis
Published on: March 8, 2022
The melanoma 'epidemic': lessons from prostate cancer
1Department of Pathology and Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510-3206, USA. earl.glusac@yale.edu
Journal of Cutaneous Pathology
|January 4, 2012
Summary
The increasing incidence of malignant melanoma may be due to overdiagnosis, not an epidemic. Overdiagnosis involves identifying histologically malignant but biologically benign lesions, a common issue in cancer screening.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Epidemiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Malignant melanoma incidence has risen dramatically, termed an "epidemic".
- Screening for various cancers, including melanoma, thyroid, and prostate, is common.
- Overdiagnosis is a recognized phenomenon in medical screening.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of overdiagnosis in the rising incidence of malignant melanoma.
- To define overdiagnosis in the context of melanoma and other cancers.
Main Methods:
- Epidemiologic data analysis.
- Review of diagnostic criteria for melanoma.
- Comparison with overdiagnosis in thyroid and prostate cancer screening.
Main Results:
- The rise in melanoma incidence is attributed to overdiagnosis.
- Overdiagnosis is defined as detecting lesions that are histologically malignant but biologically benign.
- This phenomenon is also observed in screening for thyroid and prostate cancers.
Conclusions:
- The apparent "epidemic" of melanoma is likely driven by overdiagnosis.
- Overdiagnosis of melanoma warrants further investigation and may necessitate changes in screening practices.
- The issue of overdiagnosis is not unique to melanoma and affects other cancer screenings.
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