Survival of Danish cancer patients 1943-1987. Malignant melanoma of the skin.

Survival after malignant melanoma in Denmark has improved remarkably in all age groups and people of each sex over the last 30 years. During the study period 1943 87, the proportion of patients presenting with an earlier stage of disease at the time of diagnosis increased. No major change has taken place with respect to treatment. Extent of disease, age and sex exerted a steady influence on survival during the study period. Melanoma patients with localized disease had a far better survival expectancy than those with disseminated disease at the time of diagnosis. Age at time of diagnosis had a clear impact on subsequent survival, younger patients having a better prognosis than older ones. In all age groups, women had a higher relative survival rate than men.