Browsing by Author "Lippold, A."

The evaluation of the impact of prevention activities on the course of survival in conjunction with the individual hazard rate of dying is described using data from a follow-up study of 10433 melanoma patients during three observation periods (1972-1980, 1981-1988, 1989-1996). Kaplan-Meier survival curves combined with hazard functions were calculated. At all observation periods, survival of men was lower compared with women and their maximum dying risk was earlier (70 versus 100 months after removal of the primary tumour). In 1989-1996, differences in the survival rates were approximately halved compared with those for 1972-1980 or 1981-1988, respectively. This improvement was predominantly seen in young men. There was a lower survival I-ate of men compared with women with identical thickness categories. The maximum dying risk for those men with tumours > 4 mm peaked at approximately 60 months, the other thickness categories showing a lower and later maximum: in women. the maximum dying risk for tumours > 4 mm was also seen Lit approximately 60 months, but less pronounced. Over time, the influence of Breslow thickness on the survival rates remained constant in women; in men, with the exception of thick tumours. there was a trend towards a better survival. Melanoma awareness campaigns conducted in Germany since the late 1980s have resulted in a trend towards a remarkable increase of thin tumours in recent years, whereas the number of new cases with thick tumours has remained constant. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Background and Objective. The final goals of malignant melanoma prevention are lowering incidence and mortality. We assessed the parameter "survival" for both men and women as the beginning point for future gender-directed prevention campaigns. We compared the periods 1972-1980, 1981-1988, 1989-1996, and determined the influence of age a nd of Breslow' tu mor thickness on survival. Patients/Methods. We had sufficient follow-up on 10.433 patients. We calculated survival curves according to Kaplan-Meier and defined differences by the logrank test. Results. At all periods of time,survival of women was higher compared with men, but with no impressive changes over time. This was especially true for younger men. The most important prognostic factor was the Breslow tumor thickness. Within all periods of time, its median was higher in men. A trend downwards for both genders could be observed with higher influence on survival In men. Conclusions. Our findings justify melanoma prevention campaigns addressed to men. Evaluation of such campaigns has to take into account an already existing upwards trend for male survival, which exceeds that of female survival.