Onkológia 3/2009

Chemotherapy and imunotherapy for malignant melanoma

Despite the fact that melanoma represents only 4 % of cutaneous malignancies, it represents 79 % of all skin cancer-related mortality. The incidence in women varies from 0.2/100 000 India to 42/100 000 in Northern Queensland, Australia, while in men the incidence varies from 0.9 to 49/100,000 people respectively. In 2002, incidence in Czech Republic was 10.5/100 000 in men and 9.6/100 000 in women. Incidence during 2004 in Slovakia was 10.9/100 000 men and 12.7/100,000 women. Fortunately, over the recent years, mortality has increased more slowly than incidence. This phenomenon is probably related to the capture of early stage melanomas as a consequence of preventive programs.

Keywords: malignant melanoma, incidence, treatment