Author/Editor		Benedičič-Pilih, Ana
Title		Trend incidence in preživetja bolnikov s kožnim malignim melanomom v Sloveniji v obdobju 1980-1999 glede na izbrane napovedne dejavnike preživetja
Type		monografija
Place		Ljubljana
Publisher		Medicinska fakulteta
Publication year		2003
Volume		str. 78
Language		slo
Abstract		Background: Since 1980 the constant increase in incidence of invasive cutaneous malignant melanoma has been noticed in Slovenia as well. The disease was discovered mostly in its advanced stage. During the years from 1985 to 1989 the five-year period survival of melanoma patients in Slovenia was one of the lowest in Europe. However it has gradually improved since 1973. The success of preventive programs is reflected in more favorable placed prognostic factors of melanoma. At first the decrease of thickness and depth of primary tumor invasion are being noticed at the detection of disease. This is followed by a longer patients' survival and lower mortality because of melanoma. In the parts of the world where, due to outstandingly high incidence rates, the intensive primary and secondary prevention started decades ago, also the lessening of the increase in incidence is being noticed. At some population groups there is even the decrease in melanoma incidence. Purpose: To check the hypothesis that in Slovenia, in comparison with other more developed European countries, melanoma is still being discovered in its more advanced stages (higher invasion level and thicker primary tumor) and to define the impact of the most important prognostic factors on patients' survival in localized stage of disease. Material and methods: In my retrospective study I analyzed the data, collected in The Cancer Registry of Slovenia (Registry), about 2716 patients with melanoma, diagnosed during the period from 1980 to 1999. I followed the patients until December 31, 2001. I pointed out the patients' characteristics and the time trend of melanoma incidence in Slovenia. I found out the cause-specific survival of all patients by Kaplan'Meier method. Later on when looking for differences in survival according to chosen prognostic factors available at the Registry, I confmed to the group of 2065 patients in localized stage of disease. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters).
Descriptors		MELANOMA SKIN NEOPLASMS NEOPLASM STAGING INCIDENCE SLOVENIA SURVIVAL RATE PROGNOSIS SEX FACTORS AGE FACTORS NEOPLASM INVASIVENESS REGISTRIES RETROSPECTIVE STUDIES