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Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to systematically identify and scrutinise published empirical evidence about overdiagnosis in malignant melanoma and examine how frequent overdiagnosis of melanoma is and whether this is related to different types of interventions or diagnostic technologies. DESIGN AND SETTING Empirical studies that discussed overdiagnosis in malignant melanoma were eligible, including qualitative and quantitative studies in any type of population, age group and geographical location. We excluded studies that did not include empirical data, studies that only mentioned 'overdiagnosis' without addressing it further and studies that used the term overdiagnosis for cases of misdiagnosis or false positives.We developed the search strategy in cooperation with an information specialist. We searched five databases on 21 April 2022: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library.This scoping review adheres to The JBI methodology and Prefered Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses extension for Scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts and full texts for inclusion and extracted data from the included studies. The data extracted include study characteristics, population details, research question, the context and the study's main results. RESULTS Our search resulted in 1134 potentially relevant studies. 35 studies were included: 29 register studies, 3 cohort studies, 1 case-control study, 1 survey study and 1 randomised controlled trial. Most register studies examined trends in melanoma incidence and/or mortality and found a significant increase in incidence between 0.39% and 6.6% annually and a little or no increase in mortality. Three cohort studies and one case-control study showed that skin screening was associated with increased detection of melanoma; especially in situ or thin invasive melanoma. Three studies estimated the degree of overdiagnosis which ranged from 29% to 60%. CONCLUSIONS Epidemiological data suggest a high degree of overdiagnosis in malignant melanoma. Studies that examined the association between skin screening and malignant melanoma all found increased detection of melanomas, mostly thin and in situ melanomas, which raises concern about overdiagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mille Falk Bjørch
- Centre of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Emma Grundtvig Gram
- Centre of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Primary Health Care Research Unit, Region Zealand, Denmark
| | - John Brandt Brodersen
- Centre of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Primary Health Care Research Unit, Region Zealand, Denmark
- Research Unit for General Practice, Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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Bucchi L, Mancini S, Crocetti E, Dal Maso L, Baldacchini F, Vattiato R, Giuliani O, Ravaioli A, Zamagni F, Bella F, Bidoli E, Caldarella A, Candela G, Carone S, Carrozzi G, Cavallo R, Ferrante M, Ferretti S, Filiberti RA, Fusco M, Gatti L, Gili A, Iacovacci S, Magoni M, Mangone L, Mazzoleni G, Michiara M, Musolino A, Piffer S, Piras D, Rizzello RV, Rosso S, Rugge M, Scala U, Stracci F, Tagliabue G, Toffolutti F, Tumino R, Biggeri A, Masini C, Ridolfi L, Villani S, Palmieri G, Stanganelli I, Falcini F. The descriptive epidemiology of melanoma in Italy has changed - for the better. Ital J Dermatol Venerol 2023; 158:483-492. [PMID: 38015485 DOI: 10.23736/s2784-8671.23.07653-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
A recent research project using data from a total of 40 cancer registries has provided new epidemiologic insights into the results of efforts for melanoma control in Italy between the 1990s and the last decade. In this article, the authors present a summary and a commentary of their findings. Incidence increased significantly throughout the study period in both sexes. However, the rates showed a stabilization or a decrease in men and women aged below 35 years. The risk of disease increased for successive cohorts born until 1973 (women) and 1975 (men) while subsequently tending to decline. The trend towards decreasing tumor thickness and increasing survival has continued, but a novel favorable prognostic factor has emerged since 2013 for patients - particularly for males - with thick melanoma, most likely represented by molecular targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Due to this, the survival gap between males and females has been filled out. In the meanwhile, and despite the incidence increase, dermatologists have not lowered their threshold to perform skin biopsy. Skin biopsy rate has increased because of the increasingly greater volume of dermatologic office visits, but the proportion of skin biopsies out of dermatologic office visits has remained constant. In summary, an important breakthrough in melanoma control in Italy has taken place. Effective interventions have been implemented across the full scope of care, which involve many large local populations - virtually the whole national population. The strategies adopted during the last three decades represent a valuable basis for further steps ahead in melanoma control in Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauro Bucchi
- Romagna Cancer Registry, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) Dino Amadori, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Silvia Mancini
- Romagna Cancer Registry, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) Dino Amadori, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy -
| | - Emanuele Crocetti
- Romagna Cancer Registry, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) Dino Amadori, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Luigino Dal Maso
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Flavia Baldacchini
- Romagna Cancer Registry, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) Dino Amadori, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Rosa Vattiato
- Romagna Cancer Registry, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) Dino Amadori, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Orietta Giuliani
- Romagna Cancer Registry, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) Dino Amadori, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Alessandra Ravaioli
- Romagna Cancer Registry, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) Dino Amadori, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Federica Zamagni
- Romagna Cancer Registry, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) Dino Amadori, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Francesca Bella
- Siracusa Cancer Registry, Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale (ASP), Siracusa, Italy
| | - Ettore Bidoli
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Adele Caldarella
- Tuscany Cancer Registry, Clinical and Descriptive Epidemiology Unit, Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Giuseppa Candela
- Trapani Cancer Registry, Department of Prevention, Servizio Sanitario Regionale Sicilia, Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale (ASP), Trapani, Italy
| | - Simona Carone
- Taranto Cancer Registry, Unit of Statistics and Epidemiology, ASL Taranto, Taranto, Italy
| | | | | | - Margherita Ferrante
- Integrated Cancer Registry of Catania-Messina-Enna, Rodolico-San Marco Polyclinic University Hospital, Catania, Italy
| | - Stefano Ferretti
- Romagna Cancer Registry - Section of Ferrara, ASL Ferrara, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Rosa A Filiberti
- Liguria Cancer Registry, San Martino Polyclinic Hospital IRCCS, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Luciana Gatti
- Mantova Cancer Registry, Epidemiology Unit, Agenzia di Tutela della Salute (ATS) della Val Padana, Mantua, Italy
| | - Alessio Gili
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Michele Magoni
- Registry of Brescia Province, Epidemiology Unit, Brescia Health Protection Agency, Brescia, Italy
| | - Lucia Mangone
- Epidemiology Unit, AUSL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | | | - Maria Michiara
- Parma Cancer Registry, Medical Oncology Unit, Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy
| | - Antonino Musolino
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Medical Oncology Unit and Cancer Registry, Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy
| | - Silvano Piffer
- Trento Province Cancer Registry, Unit of Clinical Epidemiology, Trento, Italy
| | - Daniela Piras
- Sassari Cancer Registry, Azienda Regionale per la Tutela della Salute (ATS), Sassari, Italy
| | - Roberto V Rizzello
- Trento Province Cancer Registry, Unit of Clinical Epidemiology, Trento, Italy
| | - Stefano Rosso
- Piedmont Cancer Registry, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | | | | | - Fabrizio Stracci
- Umbria Cancer Registry, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Giovanna Tagliabue
- Lombardy Cancer Registry of Varese Province, Cancer Registry Unit, Department of Research, National Cancer Institute IRCCS Foundation, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Toffolutti
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Rosario Tumino
- Cancer Registry, Department of Histopathology, Provincial Health Authority (ASP), Ragusa, Italy
| | - Annibale Biggeri
- Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Public Health, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Carla Masini
- Unit of Oncological Pharmacy, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) Dino Amadori, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Laura Ridolfi
- Department of Immunotherapy, Cell Therapy and Biobank, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) Dino Amadori, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Simona Villani
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Palmieri
- Department of Immuno-oncology and Targeted Oncologic Biotherapies, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Unit of Tumor Genetics, IRGB-CNR, Sassari, Italy
| | - Ignazio Stanganelli
- Skin Cancer Unit, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) Dino Amadori, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Fabio Falcini
- Romagna Cancer Registry, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) Dino Amadori, Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
- Cancer Prevention Unit, ASL Forlì, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
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Briatico G, Mancuso P, Argenziano G, Longo C, Mangone L, Moscarella E, Brancaccio G, Pampena R. Trends in cutaneous melanoma mortality in Italy from 1982 to 2016. Int J Dermatol 2022; 61:1237-1244. [PMID: 35363377 PMCID: PMC9546382 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.16173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Italy, comprehensive national studies, about mortality rates for cutaneous melanoma, are missing. The aim of this study was to analyze the trend of cutaneous melanoma mortality in Italy from 1982 to 2016. METHODS Data on death certificates were obtained from Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT: Istituto nazionale di STATistica, Indagine sulle cause di morte). Mortality rates were age-standardized on the European population 2013 and presented per 100,000 individuals. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AMRs) were calculated by sex, age group, and geographic areas. To identify changes in mortality rate trends, a joinpoint regression model was used, and the annual percent change (APC) was estimated. RESULTS In Italy, a total number of 49,312 patients (44.0% women) died for cutaneous melanoma from 1982 to 2016. Melanoma mortality rates significantly increased in the study period in both sexes, with higher AMR values and a steeper increase in men (from 2.71 to 4.02; APC: 1.43; 95% CI 1.26-1.61) than women (from 1.94-2.10; APC: 0.23; 95% CI 0.00-0.46). The largest difference between men and women was observed in patients aged ≥65 years with APC of 2.17 in men (95% CI 1.97-2.37) and 0.37 in women (95% CI 0.08-0.66). CONCLUSION In conclusion, the melanoma mortality rate in Italy progressively increased especially in elderly men. Several hypotheses might explain the observed age and geographic differences such as sun exposure habits or different strategies of prevention campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pamela Mancuso
- Epidemiology UnitAzienda Unità Sanitaria Locale ‐ IRCCS di Reggio EmiliaReggio EmiliaItaly
| | | | - Caterina Longo
- Centro Oncologico ad Alta Tecnologia Diagnostica‐DermatologiaAzienda Unità Sanitaria Locale ‐ IRCCS di Reggio EmiliaReggio EmiliaItaly
- Department of DermatologyUniversity of ModenaReggio EmiliaItaly
| | - Lucia Mangone
- Epidemiology UnitAzienda Unità Sanitaria Locale ‐ IRCCS di Reggio EmiliaReggio EmiliaItaly
| | | | | | - Riccardo Pampena
- Centro Oncologico ad Alta Tecnologia Diagnostica‐DermatologiaAzienda Unità Sanitaria Locale ‐ IRCCS di Reggio EmiliaReggio EmiliaItaly
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Zamagni F, Bucchi L, Mancini S, Crocetti E, Dal Maso L, Ferretti S, Biggeri A, Villani S, Baldacchini F, Giuliani O, Ravaioli A, Vattiato R, Brustolin A, Candela G, Carone S, Carrozzi G, Cavallo R, Dinaro YM, Ferrante M, Iacovacci S, Mazzoleni G, Musolino A, Rizzello RV, Serraino D, Stracci F, Tumino R, Masini C, Ridolfi L, Palmieri G, Stanganelli I, Falcini F. The relative contribution of the decreasing trend in tumour thickness to the 2010s increase in net survival from cutaneous malignant melanoma in Italy: a population-based investigation. Br J Dermatol 2022; 187:52-63. [PMID: 35253204 PMCID: PMC9542017 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.21051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The long-term increase in survival from cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) is generally attributed to the decreasing trend in tumour thickness, the single most important prognostic factor. OBJECTIVES To determine the relative contribution of decreased tumour thickness to the favourable trend in survival from CMM in Italy. METHODS Eleven local cancer registries covering a population of 8 056 608 (13.4% of the Italian population in 2010) provided records for people with primary CMM registered between 2003 and 2017. Age-standardized 5-year net survival was calculated. Multivariate analysis of 5-year net survival was undertaken by calculating the relative excess risk (RER) of death. The relative contribution of the decrease in tumour thickness to the RER of death was evaluated using a forward stepwise flexible parametric survival model including the available prognostic factors. RESULTS Over the study period, tumour thickness was inversely associated with 5-year net survival and multivariate RER in both sexes. The median thickness was 0.90 mm in 2003-2007, 0.85 mm in 2008-2012 and 0.75 mm in 2013-2017 among male patients, and 0.78 mm, 0.77 mm and 0.68 mm among female patients, respectively. The 5-year net survival was 86.8%, 89.2% and 93.2% in male patients, and 91.4%, 92.0% and 93.4% in female patients, respectively. In 2013-2017, male patients exhibited the same survival as female patients despite having thicker lesions. For them, the increasing survival trend was more pronounced with increasing thickness, and the inclusion of thickness in the forward stepwise model made the RER in 2013-2017 vs. 2003-2007 increase from 0.64 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.51-0.80] to 0.70 (95% CI 0.57-0.86). This indicates that the thickness trend accounted for less than 20% of the survival increase. For female patients, the results were not significant but, with multiple imputation of missing thickness values, the RER rose from 0.74 (95% CI 0.58-0.93) to 0.82 (95% CI 0.66-1.02) in 2013-2017. CONCLUSIONS For male patients in particular, decrease in tumour thickness accounted for a small part of the improvement in survival observed in 2013-2017. The introduction of targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors in 2013 is most likely to account for the remaining improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Zamagni
- Romagna Cancer RegistryIRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’MeldolaForlìItaly
| | - Lauro Bucchi
- Romagna Cancer RegistryIRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’MeldolaForlìItaly
| | - Silvia Mancini
- Romagna Cancer RegistryIRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’MeldolaForlìItaly
| | - Emanuele Crocetti
- Romagna Cancer RegistryIRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’MeldolaForlìItaly
| | - Luigino Dal Maso
- Cancer Epidemiology UnitCentro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCSAvianoItaly
| | - Stefano Ferretti
- Romagna Cancer Registry, Section of FerraraLocal Health Authority and University of FerraraFerraraItaly
| | - Annibale Biggeri
- Department of Statistics, Computer Science, Applications G. ParentiUniversity of FlorenceFlorenceItaly
| | - Simona Villani
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical EpidemiologyUniversity of PaviaPaviaItaly
| | - Flavia Baldacchini
- Romagna Cancer RegistryIRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’MeldolaForlìItaly
| | - Orietta Giuliani
- Romagna Cancer RegistryIRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’MeldolaForlìItaly
| | - Alessandra Ravaioli
- Romagna Cancer RegistryIRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’MeldolaForlìItaly
| | - Rosa Vattiato
- Romagna Cancer RegistryIRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’MeldolaForlìItaly
| | - Angelita Brustolin
- UOSD Epidemiologia e Registro Tumori (Dip. di Prevenzione ASL VT) c/o Cittadella della SaluteViterboItaly
| | - Giuseppa Candela
- Trapani Cancer Registry, Dipartimento di Prevenzione della SaluteServizio Sanitario Regionale Sicilia, Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale (ASP)TrapaniItaly
| | - Simona Carone
- Registro tumori di TarantoUnità operativa complessa di statistica ed epidemiologiaAzienda sanitaria locale TarantoItaly
| | - Giuliano Carrozzi
- Modena Cancer Registry, Public Health DepartmentLocal Health AuthorityModenaItaly
| | | | | | - Margherita Ferrante
- Integrated Cancer Registry of Catania‐Messina‐EnnaAzienda Ospedaliero‐Universitaria Policlinico ‘Rodolico‐San Marco’CataniaItaly
| | | | | | - Antonino Musolino
- Department of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of Parma; Medical Oncology Unit and Cancer Registry, University Hospital of ParmaParmaItaly
| | - Roberto Vito Rizzello
- Trento Province Cancer Registry, Unit of Clinical EpidemiologyAzienda Provinciale per i Servizi Sanitari (APSS) TrentoItaly
| | - Diego Serraino
- Cancer Epidemiology UnitCentro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCSAvianoItaly
| | - Fabrizio Stracci
- Department of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of PerugiaPerugiaItaly
| | - Rosario Tumino
- Former Director Cancer RegistryProvincial Health Authority (ASP)RagusaItaly
| | - Carla Masini
- Unit of Oncological PharmacyIRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’MeldolaForlìItaly
| | - Laura Ridolfi
- Immunotherapy, Cell Therapy and BiobankIRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’MeldolaForlìItaly
| | - Giuseppe Palmieri
- Institute of Research on Genetics and Biomedicine (IRGB), National Research Council (CNR)SardegnaSassariItaly
| | - Ignazio Stanganelli
- Skin Cancer UnitIRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’MeldolaForlìItaly
- Department of DermatologyUniversity of ParmaParmaItaly
| | - Fabio Falcini
- Romagna Cancer RegistryIRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) ‘Dino Amadori’MeldolaForlìItaly
- Cancer Prevention UnitLocal Health AuthorityForlìItaly
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Epidemiology of melanoma: the importance of correctly reporting to the cancer registries. Eur J Cancer Prev 2022; 31:385-387. [PMID: 35307715 DOI: 10.1097/cej.0000000000000747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In Italy, few epidemiologic studies have been conducted by tracing melanoma reports directly in the electronic registers of the operating units of pathologic anatomy. The Cancer Registers of the Italian regions receive only partial and incomplete data on the diagnoses of melanoma, for this reason, the incidences are usually underestimated. Our work offers a precise picture of the epidemiologic situation of melanoma in a homogenous sample of patients residing in a geographic area traditionally considered to have a high incidence of melanoma.
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Brouwer NJ, Verdijk RM, Heegaard S, Marinkovic M, Esmaeli B, Jager MJ. Conjunctival melanoma: New insights in tumour genetics and immunology, leading to new therapeutic options. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 86:100971. [PMID: 34015548 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2021.100971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Recent developments in oncology have led to a better molecular and cellular understanding of cancer, and the introduction of novel therapies. Conjunctival melanoma (CoM) is a rare but potentially devastating disease. A better understanding of CoM, leading to the development of novel therapies, is urgently needed. CoM is characterized by mutations that have also been identified in cutaneous melanoma, e.g. in BRAF, NRAS and TERT. These mutations are distinct from the mutations found in uveal melanoma (UM), affecting genes such as GNAQ, GNA11, and BAP1. Targeted therapies that are successful in cutaneous melanoma may therefore be useful in CoM. A recent breakthrough in the treatment of patients with metastatic cutaneous melanoma was the development of immunotherapy. While immunotherapy is currently sparsely effective in intraocular tumours such as UM, the similarities between CoM and cutaneous melanoma (including in their immunological tumour micro environment) provide hope for the application of immunotherapy in CoM, and preliminary clinical data are indeed emerging to support this use. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge regarding CoM, with a focus on the genetic and immunologic understanding. We elaborate on the distinct position of CoM in contrast to other types of melanoma, and explain how new insights in the pathophysiology of this disease guide the development of new, personalized, treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels J Brouwer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Robert M Verdijk
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medica Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Pathology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Steffen Heegaard
- Department of Ophthalmology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Pathology, Eye Pathology Section, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Marina Marinkovic
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Bita Esmaeli
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Orbital Oncology and Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Martine J Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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7
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Bucchi L, Mancini S, Crocetti E, Dal Maso L, Baldacchini F, Vattiato R, Giuliani O, Ravaioli A, Caldarella A, Carrozzi G, Ferretti S, Filiberti RA, Fusco M, Gatti L, Gili A, Magoni M, Mangone L, Mazzoleni G, Michiara M, Panato C, Piffer S, Piras D, Rosso S, Rugge M, Scala U, Tagliabue G, Tumino R, Stanganelli I, Falcini F. Mid-term trends and recent birth-cohort-dependent changes in incidence rates of cutaneous malignant melanoma in Italy. Int J Cancer 2020; 148:835-844. [PMID: 33405292 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
In Oceania, North America and north-western Europe, after decades of increase, cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) rates began to stabilise or decline before 2000. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the reversal of the incidence trend is extending to southern Europe. To obtain a formal confirmation, this nationwide study from Italy investigated the incidence trends by birth cohort. Twenty-one local cancer registries covering a population of 15 814 455 provided incidence data for primary CMM registered between 1994 and 2013. Trends in age-standardised rates were analysed using joinpoint regression models and age-period-cohort models. Age-standardised incidence showed a consistent increase throughout the period (estimated annual percent change, 3.6 [95% confidence interval, 3.2-4.0] among men and 2.5 [2.0-3.1] among women). This pattern was confirmed by a sensitivity analysis with removal of low-risk populations of southern Italy. The rates, however, showed a stabilisation or a decrease in men and women aged below 35. Using the cohort of 1949-the median cohort with respect to the number of cases for both genders-as a reference, the incidence rate ratio increased for successive cohorts born until 1973 (women) and 1975 (men), and subsequently tended to decline. For the most recent cohorts in both genders, the risk of disease returned to the level of the cohort of 1949. The changes observed in the latest generations can be interpreted as the earliest manifestations of a birth-cohort-dependent incidence decrease. Our study adds to previous data indicating that the reversal of the long-term upward incidence trend of CMM is extending to southern Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauro Bucchi
- Romagna Cancer Registry, Romagna Cancer Institute, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Forlì, Italy
| | - Silvia Mancini
- Romagna Cancer Registry, Romagna Cancer Institute, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Forlì, Italy
| | - Emanuele Crocetti
- Romagna Cancer Registry, Romagna Cancer Institute, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Forlì, Italy
| | - Luigino Dal Maso
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Flavia Baldacchini
- Romagna Cancer Registry, Romagna Cancer Institute, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Forlì, Italy
| | - Rosa Vattiato
- Romagna Cancer Registry, Romagna Cancer Institute, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Forlì, Italy
| | - Orietta Giuliani
- Romagna Cancer Registry, Romagna Cancer Institute, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Forlì, Italy
| | - Alessandra Ravaioli
- Romagna Cancer Registry, Romagna Cancer Institute, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Forlì, Italy
| | - Adele Caldarella
- Tuscany Cancer Registry, Clinical and Descriptive Epidemiology Unit, Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Giuliano Carrozzi
- Modena Cancer Registry, Public Health Department, Local Health Authority, Modena, Italy
| | - Stefano Ferretti
- Romagna Cancer Registry, section of Ferrara, Local Health Authority, and University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | | | - Luciana Gatti
- Mantova Cancer Registry, Epidemiology Unit, Agenzia di Tutela della Salute (ATS) della Val Padana, Mantova, Italy
| | - Alessio Gili
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Michele Magoni
- Registry of Brescia Province, Epidemiology Unit, Brescia Health Protection Agency, Brescia, Italy
| | - Lucia Mangone
- Epidemiology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | | | - Maria Michiara
- Parma Cancer Registry, Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Chiara Panato
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Silvano Piffer
- Trento Province Cancer Registry, Unit of Clinical Epidemiology, Trento, Italy
| | - Daniela Piras
- Sassari Cancer Registry, Azienda Regionale per la Tutela della Salute - ATS, Sassari, Italy
| | - Stefano Rosso
- Piedmont Cancer Registry, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | | | | | - Giovanna Tagliabue
- Lombardy Cancer Registry-Varese Province, Cancer Registry Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Rosario Tumino
- Cancer Registry and Histopathology Department, Provincial Health Authority (ASP), Ragusa, Italy
| | - Ignazio Stanganelli
- Skin Cancer Unit, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Forlì, Italy.,Department of Dermatology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Fabio Falcini
- Romagna Cancer Registry, Romagna Cancer Institute, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Forlì, Italy.,Cancer Prevention Unit, Local Health Authority, Forlì, Italy
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8
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Pezzini C, Kaleci S, Chester J, Farnetani F, Longo C, Pellacani G. Reflectance confocal microscopy diagnostic accuracy for malignant melanoma in different clinical settings: systematic review and meta‐analysis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2020; 34:2268-2279. [DOI: 10.1111/jdv.16248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C. Pezzini
- Dermatology Unit University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
| | - S. Kaleci
- Dermatology Unit University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
| | - J. Chester
- Dermatology Unit University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
| | - F. Farnetani
- Dermatology Unit University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
| | - C. Longo
- Dermatology Unit University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
- Centro Oncologico ad Alta Tecnologia Diagnostica Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale – IRCCS Reggio Emilia Italy
| | - G. Pellacani
- Dermatology Unit University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
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9
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Morgese F, Sampaolesi C, Torniai M, Conti A, Ranallo N, Giacchetti A, Serresi S, Onofri A, Burattini M, Ricotti G, Berardi R. Gender Differences and Outcomes in Melanoma Patients. Oncol Ther 2020; 8:103-114. [PMID: 32700073 PMCID: PMC7359998 DOI: 10.1007/s40487-020-00109-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Melanoma is one of the most common cancers in younger people. The incidence of cutaneous melanoma is increasing in patients of both sexes, with female patients generally living longer than their male counterparts. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate and confirm the sex-based difference in survival of melanoma patients and the relationship of this difference with pathological features. METHODS A total of 1023 patients who had been treated at the Department of Medical Oncology, Università Politecnica Marche (Ancona, Italy) and the INRCA-IRCCS Department of Dermatology (Ancona, Italy) between 1987 and 2014 were enrolled in the study. RESULTS In terms of stage of disease at onset, there was a significant difference in disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in favor of female patients in disease stage I (P = 0.001 and P = 0.01, respectively) and II (P = 0.02 and P = 0.009, respectively). Female patients also showed a significant improvement in 12-year DFS and 12-year OS adjusted for pathological features (Breslow thickness, ulceration, "absent" tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) melanomas, "non-brisk" TIL pattern). Globally, female patients had an advantage over with male patients in both DFS and OS (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our results show that women have a survival benefit over with men after adjustment for many variables that can reduce mortality risk in female melanoma patients. In a future investigation we wish to examine possible biological sex differences in tumor-host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Morgese
- Clinica Oncologica, Università Politecnica delle Marche-Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Umberto I, Via Conca, Ancona, AN, Italy
| | - Caterina Sampaolesi
- Clinica Oncologica, Università Politecnica delle Marche-Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Umberto I, Via Conca, Ancona, AN, Italy
| | - Mariangela Torniai
- Clinica Oncologica, Università Politecnica delle Marche-Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Umberto I, Via Conca, Ancona, AN, Italy
| | - Alessandro Conti
- Department of Clinical and Specialist Sciences, Urology, Università Politecnica delle Marche-Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Umberto I, Via Conca, Ancona, AN, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Ranallo
- Clinica Oncologica, Università Politecnica delle Marche-Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Umberto I, Via Conca, Ancona, AN, Italy
| | - Alfredo Giacchetti
- L'Unità Operativa di Dermatologia, INRCA/IRCCS, Via Montagnola, Ancona, AN, Italy
| | - Stefano Serresi
- L'Unità Operativa di Dermatologia, INRCA/IRCCS, Via Montagnola, Ancona, AN, Italy
| | - Azzurra Onofri
- Clinica Oncologica, Università Politecnica delle Marche-Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Umberto I, Via Conca, Ancona, AN, Italy
| | - Michela Burattini
- Clinica Oncologica, Università Politecnica delle Marche-Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Umberto I, Via Conca, Ancona, AN, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ricotti
- L'Unità Operativa di Dermatologia, INRCA/IRCCS, Via Montagnola, Ancona, AN, Italy
| | - Rossana Berardi
- Clinica Oncologica, Università Politecnica delle Marche-Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Umberto I, Via Conca, Ancona, AN, Italy.
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