Trends in the incidence of vulvar malignant melanoma in Denmark and Sweden: Two nationwide studies covering >40 years

Objectives

Vulvar malignant melanoma (VuMM) represents a rare malignancy. This study examines and compares the incidence and trends in incidence of VuMM in Denmark and in Sweden over a period of >40 years.

Study design

A nationwide, population-based registry study conducted in two countries.

Main outcome measures

We identified incident VuMM cases in the Danish and Swedish Cancer Registries. Information on age at diagnosis, anatomical site, histology, and stage of disease was retrieved. We calculated age-specific and age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) with temporal trends in incidence evaluated by estimated annual percent change (EAPC) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI).

Results

A total of 524 women with VuMM, encompassing 171 women in Denmark (1978–2022) and 353 women in Sweden (1978–2018), were included. The age-specific incidence rates increased with age throughout the study period in both countries. The ASR decreased in both countries: in Denmark, from 1.03 (95 % CI: 0.59–1.48) per 1,000,000 to 0.55 (95 % CI: 0.26–0.83); and in Sweden from 1.25 (95 % CI: 0.22–2.28) to 0.76 (95 % CI: 0.42–0.84). This corresponded to EAPCs of −1.65 (95 % CI: −2.45; −0.84) in Denmark and −1.22 (95 % CI: −1.69; −0.75) in Sweden.

Conclusions

The age-standardized and age-specific VuMM incidence rates were nearly identical in Denmark and Sweden, which are countries with similar demographic characteristics, and a free-of-charge healthcare system. The incidence of VuMM showed an equal and statistically significant decrease in Denmark and Sweden during the last four decades. The explanation for the decrease is currently unknown.