| Abstract [eng] |
SUMMARY Substantiation: Over the past few decades, the incidence of skin melanoma in Lithuania and other countries, has been steadily increasing. Both the frequency and mortality rates of skin melanoma have risen across all age groups, particularly in the elderly. Many risk factors for skin melanoma are attributed to ultraviolet radiation and fair skin. However, public protective behaviors against skin melanoma remain insufficient, requiring greater attention. Job Purpose: To investigate and review the situation of skin melanoma in Lithuania. Tasks of the study: 1.Evaluate the incidence of skin melanoma in Lithuania from 1978 to 2017. 2.Assess the mortality rate of skin melanoma in Lithuania from 1994 to 2017. 3.Compare the survival rates in Lithuania between 2003–2007 and 2008–2012. Methodology: Study Type: Descriptive epidemiological study. Data from the Lithuanian Cancer Registry and the Lithuanian Department of Statistics were utilized for analyzing the long-term dynamics of skin melanoma incidence, mortality, and survival distribution. Annual incidence rates were calculated by age and gender. Using the aforementioned data and world standards, annual incidence and mortality rates were standardized per 100,000 population through direct standardization. Regression analysis using the "Jointpoint" statistical program was employed for analyzing incidence and mortality rates. Results: Incidence rates among women increased during the study period, while rates among men were unstable. Among individuals aged 60 and above, incidence rates increased annually by 4.70%, the highest among all age groups. Women's mortality rates showed a slight statistically insignificant decreasing trend over the study period, whereas men's mortality rates were unstable: increasing until 2010 and decreasing by an average of 3.53% from 2010 to 2017. Melanoma mortality rates increased in older age groups. Higher survival rates were observed during the 2008–2012 period, with statistically significant higher survival rates among women compared to men. The probability of survival decreases with later stages of disease diagnosis. Conclusions: Incidence and mortality rates of skin melanoma varied between gender groups. Survival rates were better among women than men. The probability of survival decreases with later stages of skin melanoma diagnosis. Keywords: skin melanoma, mortality, survival, incidence. |
