[Malignant melanoma: increase in incidence and mortality in West Germany]

Based on official statistics of causes of deaths and data from regional cancer registers as well as clinical epidemiological data from our clinic, incidence and mortality of malignant melanoma of the skin (MM) in Germany has been analysed. Between 1970 and 1980, the mortality rate of MM according to age rose by 20% for both men and women; the regional incidence in the Saarland, for example, increased by more than 50% (men: 3.4 to 4.6; women: 3.2 to 6.0 per 100,000 inhabitants a year). The earlier development of the MM mortality can be estimated by analysing the mortality of skin cancers in general. In the age groups between 30 and 69 years, the skin cancer mortality was nearly exclusively caused by MM; the mortality rates according to age increased between 1955 and 1980 by more than 100% for men and by more than 75% for women. According to all available data, the MM incidence in West Germany in 1980 was estimated to be 5 per 100,000 inhabitants for men and 8 per 100,000 inhabitants for women. Assuming a continuous increase of incidences, we expect 5,500 new MM cases in 1985.