Melanoma of the skin
Illustration image
Melanoma usually occurs in the skin and develops from the pigment-forming cells in the skin. In rare cases, melanoma can occur in the eye and mucous membranes (vagina, throat, intestine). Melanoma is the skin cancer that takes the most lives. Below we provide figures and information for melanoma of the skin.
The number of melanoma cases globally has increased sharply in populations with fair skin type, and the incidence in Norway is among the highest in the world.
New cases
In 2023, there were 1566 men and 1401 women in Norway who suffered their first skin melanoma. The number of cases per 100,000 is now 53,4 for men and 45,5 for women. Before the age of 50, the prevalence is highest among women, however, after 50 years of age it is the other way around.
Aging
The median age for melanoma is now 67 years, which means that half of all those diagnosed are over 67 years of age.
Among both men and women, this is the type of cancer that occurs second most frequently in the age group 25-49 years. However, it is in age groups over 50 years that we see the largest increase and highest prevalence, especially in the age groups ≥ 70 years.
Age-specific incidence of melanoma in the skin for men and women (smoothed rates), in the period 1994–2023. From fig. 2.1 in Annual report from the Melanoma Registry 2023. (Norwegian only)
For the age groups 50-59 and 60-69 years, we have seen a levelling off over the last ten years, but the 2022 figures show that the incidence is on a significant rise for >50 years. It is likely to assume that lockdowns linked to Covid-19 in 2021-2022 may have resulted in underdiagnosis during this period, resulting in an accumulation of cases in 2022. For younger age groups, the prevalence is stable.
Excessive sun exposure causes most melanoma cases in the skin, but attention, diagnostic intensity and diagnostic slippage can also affect the rates.
Survival
Five-year relative survival after melanoma is high, 92.0 percent for men and 95.9 percent for women in the period 2019-2023, because most cases are detected at an early stage (local disease).
Cases detected in an advanced stage (with spread) have poor survival; 42.1 per cent for men and 58.0 per cent for women.
Fem års relativ overlevelse ved melanom 2019-2023 for alle stadier samlet, etter kjønn. Fra figur 8.2-K i Cancer in Norway 2023.
Most of those diagnosed with distant metastasis are men, and five-year relative survival for these in the period 2009-2013 was 10,8 per cent. Over the last ten years, survival for these patients has increased greatly, and in the period 2019-2023, 5-year relative survival was estimated at 42.1 percent.
Women diagnosed with distant metastasis have a better five-year survival rate than men. In the period 2009-2013, this was 29,2 per cent. In the period 2019-2023, it has increased to 58 percent.
The increase in survival can probably be attributed to new drug therapies in the group of patients with proven metastasis. But despite improved life expectancy for those with advanced disease, early detection of the tumour is still a decisive factor for high survival.
Survivors with melanoma
At the end of 2023, there were 34,836 people in Norway who either have or have had melanoma. This is an increase of more than 13,000 people over ten years.
Number of deaths
In 2022, 183 men and 121 women died of skin melanoma.
Development over time
Trends in incidence (red), mortality (pink) and 5-year relative survival (brown) of melanoma in the period 1965-2023. From figure 9.1-K in Cancer in Norway 2023.
Trends in incidence (dark blue), mortality (light blue) and 5-year relative survival (green) of melanoma in the period 1965-2023. From figure 9.1-K in Cancer in Norway 2023.
The number of cases of melanoma is increasing worldwide. In Norway, this is among the types of cancer with the strongest increase and we are among the countries in the world with the highest incidence. In 2023, 2967 Norwegians received this diagnosis. This is 20 times as many cases as in the 1950s.
In Norway, mortality has also increased over time. Worldwide, only New Zealand has a higher mortality rate than Norway. Compared with several other countries, Norwegian patients have more serious illness at diagnosis, and this is especially true for men. This underlines the need for increased knowledge about this disease, both in the population and in the health services.
National Quality Registry for Melanoma
The National Quality Register for Melanoma (Melanoma Register) has existed since 2008 and was granted national status in 2013. The Cancer Registry of Norway is responsible for data processing and the Melanoma Registry is an integrated registry in the Cancer Registry.
The purpose of the Melanoma Registry is to strengthen the quality of health care for patients with melanoma. The quality registry shall also conduct, promote and provide a basis for research to develop new knowledge about the causes, diagnosis and course of cancer, as well as treatment effects.
Read more about the National Quality Registry for Melanoma
Find annual reports for the National Quality Registry for Melanoma here (Norwegian only)
Patient-reported results
The purpose of collecting PROMs is to obtain the necessary knowledge about how cancer and its treatment affect health and quality of life over time. PROMs and PREMs can also help to reveal whether there is equal treatment at the different hospitals, and is an important contribution to quality assurance of the Norwegian health service.
PROMs were introduced in the Melanoma Registry in 2021, for patients diagnosed as of January 1, 2021.
This year's report presents results on patient-reported outcome and experience measures for the second time. There is a low coverage, so the results must be interpreted with caution as these may show random differences.
The tendency shows differences between hospitals among patients who state that they received sufficient information about relevant treatment options. Among patients who stated that they to a very large or large extent wanted to be involved in treatment decisions, we also see some differences in the degree to which the patients felt they were involved. It is gratifying to see that there are generally good results among the patients' perception of how satisfied they were with the treatment services they received at the treating hospitals.
See results from the survey here (Norwegian only)
Read more about patient-reported results (Norwegian only)
Risk factors
The main causative factor of skin melanoma is ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and tanning beds. The strong increase in incidence in recent decades is probably due to changes in sun exposure habits and increased UV exposure, particularly among men in the age group over 50 years.
The greatest risk is those with fair skin and blonde or red hair and those with large or many moles. In addition, other factors (e.g. obesity, use of certain medicines, chemicals) may also play a role.
Some families seem to be hereditarily predisposed to skin cancer. These may request genetic testing and special follow-up.
You can find more about risk factors in the overview from WCRF - Skin cancer.
There are a number of studies that have looked at the risk of melanoma. An overview of factors identified as carcinogenic based on International Agency for Research on Cancer monographs can be found here: Cancer in human: known causes and preventive measures by type of cancer. (Norwegian only)
Steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting melanoma
- Limit time in strong sun
The sun is strongest in summer and in the hours of midday. - Seek shade
Reflection from water, sand and snow makes the sun's rays more intense, even in the shade. - Wear clothes, something on your head and sunglasses
The clothes should cover as much skin as possible. A hat with a wide brim protects both the face, ears and neck. - Use plenty of sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher
Sunscreen alone does not provide enough protection, and should be used with, not instead of, shade and clothing. Do not extend the time in the sun even if you have lubricated yourself. Lubricate before going out, repeat every two hours and after bathing and sweating. - Do not use tanning beds
There is no safe lower limit to how long you can stay in the solarium.
Source: Kreftforeningen.no
Read about using sunscreen and other preventive measures against melanoma on kreftforeningen.no
Melanoma can be prevented. The most important measure is to avoid sunburn by limiting the time spent in strong sun, seeking shade and using clothing and sunscreen with a high factor as protection. Getting sunburned in tanning beds is just as unfortunate as getting burned outdoors.
The risk of melanoma increases especially for those who start using tanning beds at a young age. The authorities have introduced an 18-year limit for solariums in Norway, but everyone is advised against using solariums.
Read about the symptoms and prevention of melanoma on kreftforeningen.no
Read more about cancer prevention on kreftregisteret.no
Read about solarium use on helsenorge.no
Questions about cancer
The Cancer Registry of Norway is a research institution. Our professionals therefore do not answer questions about diagnosis, assessment, treatment and follow-up from patients or their relatives.
Questions about this should be directed to your own GP, treating institution or the Cancer Society Advisory Service tel: 21 49 49 21
Useful Links
Read about melanoma on helsenorge.no
Melanoma of the skin on the National Cancer Institute website
