Work

Trends in malignant melanoma mortality in the United States, 1999–2024: a population-based retrospective epidemiologic analysis

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction: Malignant melanoma (MM) is among the most lethal skin cancers, with rising global incidence and persistent mortality disparities. In the United States, long-term trends in MM-related mortality and their variation across demographic and geographic subgroups remain incompletely defined. Methods: We conducted a population-based analysis of MM mortality in the United States from 1999 to 2024, using national mortality data. Age-adjusted mortality rates per 100 000 population were calculated and stratified by sex, age, race/ethnicity, geographic region, and urbanization level. Temporal trends were evaluated using annual percent changes. Results: Between 1999 and 2024, MM mortality demonstrated dynamic shifts, with an initial increase followed by a decline and stabilization after 2017. Men consistently exhibited higher mortality rates than women, and older adults experienced disproportionately greater burdens. Racial and ethnic minorities, despite a lower incidence, showed poorer survival. Geographic variation was evident, with elevated mortality in certain states and in non-metropolitan areas relative to metropolitan regions. The decline in mortality corresponded temporally with the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies, although disparities persisted across subgroups. Conclusion: MM mortality in the United States has improved over the past two decades, largely due to advances in treatment. However, enduring disparities by sex, age, race and ethnicity, and geography emphasize the need for equitable access to therapies, improved early detection, and targeted public health interventions to sustain progress and reduce inequities.

Source: Annals of Medicine and Surgery

DOI: 10.1097/ms9.0000000000005737