A Comparative Study of Merkel Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma Incidence and Survival in the United States, 2000-2021.

ABSTRACT: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) and melanoma are important contributors to skin cancer mortality in the United States. We evaluated their epidemiology using the United States cancer registry data. In 2000-2021, 19,444 MCCs and 646,619 melanomas of the skin were diagnosed. Ninety percent of MCCs and 95% of melanomas were in non-Hispanic White individuals. More than 70% of MCCs versus 37% of melanomas occurred in people aged ≥70 years. Excess MCCs and melanomas were observed on the head and neck (observed:expected: MCC, 5.15; melanoma, 2.47). Among non-Hispanic White individuals, ambient UVR exposure was associated with melanoma arising on the head and neck (incidence rate ratios of 1.15-1.20 for MCC and 1.24-1.49 for melanoma, comparing quintiles 3-5 with quintile 1). Cancer-specific mortality

SUBMITTER: Tribble JT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12228830 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature