RE-APPRAISAL OF MALIGNANT MELANOMA DIAGNOSIS IN THE SWEDISH CANCER REGISTRY

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Abstract
In many countries the registration of malignant melanoma of the skin shows an increased incidence; this may partially be due to an over-diagnosis. From the group 3268 adults and 21 children classified as having malignant melanoma of the skin in the Swedish Cancer Registry between 1959-1968, a 1-in-10 systematic sample survey was the object of a retrospective examination; 349 adults and 2 children had a uniform histopathological evaluation performed. Slides were not available in 8 cases (2%) and in the remaining 343, the diagnosis was regarded as incorrect in 13 (3.7%). All these 13 cases, (2 children and 11 adults) showed no special predilection as to age, sex, location or year of registration. In view of such a slight degree of error, the Swedish Cancer registry''s melanoma group from 1959-1968 would seem suitable for further epidemiological studies.