Trends in cutaneous malignant melanoma incidence, mortality and survival over three decades: a population-based study in Southern Spain.

This article focuses on the epidemiological trends of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) in the province of Granada, Southern Spain, over a 30-year period (1985–2017), analyzing incidence, mortality, and survival while considering sex, age, and tumor characteristics. The study found a significant increase in CMM incidence in both males and females, particularly in superficial spreading melanoma (SSM) and nodular melanoma (NM), with a notable rise in early-stage (≤1 mm Breslow thickness) diagnoses. Mortality rates increased mainly among males and individuals aged 65 and older, whereas females showed a declining mortality trend after 1993. Survival improved overall, with 5-year net survival rising from 78.3% to 88.6%, and NM exhibiting the poorest prognosis. These findings suggest that prevention, early detection, and new treatments have contributed to better outcomes, though mortality remains a concern in older populations.