The association between geographic location and incidence of Merkel cell carcinoma in comparison to melanoma: An international assessment.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

The aim of this article was to provide worldwide, population-based incidence rates for Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).

Methods

We included 11,576 cases from 20 countries for time trend analyses (1990-2007) and 11,028 cases (2.5 billion person-years) from 21 countries for the period 2003-2007 extracted from Cancer Incidence in Five Continents. We computed age-standardised incidence rates (World Standard population) per million person years and sex ratios of these rates. We estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) of the incidence and studied the association between geographic latitude and MCC incidence. We examined the body site distribution of MCC.

Findings

In the majority of populations, the incidence has increased over time (EAPC, men 2.0-21.0%; women 1.6-27.2%)

SUBMITTER: Stang A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6019703 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature