According to a story from AJMC, as men get older, they are at an increased risk of second primary invasive melanoma after their first primary melanoma diagnosis. As a result, they could see benefit from more stringent surveillance in the years after the initial diagnosis, according to research first published in JAMA Dermatology.
About the Study
Prior research has found that following the first melanoma diagnosis, patients are at an elevated risk of developing additional melanoma tumors. The research used data from the Cancer Registry of Norway. Data was used from the years 2008-2020 and included 19,196 people with melanoma. From this group, a total of 4% were diagnosed with second primary invasive melanoma (SPIM).
In the year following the initial diagnosis, they found that SPIM appeared at 16.8 per 1000 person-years. This decreased every year after, but the researchers found that the incidence was higher in men. Old age was also found to be a risk factor for SPIM, with males at age 80 having seven times the incidence rate of those at age 40.
The findings could alter recommended follow-up procedures for patients in Norway, as current guidelines don’t factor in risk considerations for SPIM. Furthermore, older male patients could benefit from more surveillance regardless of their cancer’s characteristics.
About Melanoma
Melanoma is a form of skin cancer which develops from pigment cells, which are called melanocytes. This cancer also less commonly affects the eyes, intestines, or mouth. The lesions often appear on the legs of women and backs of men and develop from atypical moles in some cases. The cause of this skin cancer can be traced to DNA damage as a result of UV radiation as well as certain genetic characteristics. Signs and symptoms include changes in the color or shape of a mole or the appearance of a lump on the skin. Moles may itch or bleed in later stages. In metastatic disease, symptoms such as fatigue, appetite loss, vomiting, and nausea may appear. This cancer may be treated in a variety of ways, such as surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies. Rates of this disease are increasing and it is most common in areas with predominantly white European populations. To learn more about melanoma, click here.
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Last modified: April 24, 2024
