Skin melanoma deaths within 1 or 3 years from diagnosis in Europe

Abstract The steep increase in incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma white populations mainly applies to thin lesions with good survival suggesting overdiagnosis. Based on population‐based cancer registries (CRs), we have investigated changes aggressive melanoma, selecting only cases who died within 1 or 3 years after diagnosis 11 European countries between 1995 and 2012. Trends fatal were analysed by period diagnosis, sex, tumour thickness, histologic subtype the lesion, site CR a multivariate generalised linear mixed effects model, where geographical area was considered as random effect. We collected data 123 360 invasive melanomas, 5133 at year (4%) 12 330 (10%) years. number showed 16% decrease 8% first (1995‐2000) last (2007‐2012) period. highest proportion seen for men, older age (≥65 years), thick (>1 mm), nodular trunk poorly documented cases, lacking information about thickness subtype. mixed‐effects model remarkable variability among countries. majority decreasing trend but few an opposite pattern. highlighting real risk not related overdiagnosis, most countries, exceptions. Stronger efforts early detection could lead more efficient treatment general.