Cancer Stat Facts: Melanoma of the Skin

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Statistics at a GlanceShow More

At a Glance

  • Estimated New Cases in 2017 87,110
  • % of All New Cancer Cases5.2%
  • Estimated Deaths in 2017 9,730
  • % of All
    Cancer Deaths     1.6%
Line graph showing Number of New Cases and Deaths per 100,000 from 1992-2014
View Data Table

Percent Surviving
5 Years

91.7% 2007-2013

Number of New Cases and Deaths per 100,000: The number of new cases of melanoma of the skin was 22.3 per 100,000 men and women per year. The number of deaths was 2.7 per 100,000 men and women per year. These rates are age-adjusted and based on 2010-2014 cases and deaths.

Lifetime Risk of Developing Cancer: Approximately 2.2 percent of men and women will be diagnosed with melanoma of the skin at some point during their lifetime, based on 2012-2014 data.

Prevalence of This Cancer: In 2014, there were an estimated 1,169,351 people living with melanoma of the skin in the United States.

Survival StatisticsShow More

How Many People Survive 5 Years Or More after Being Diagnosed with Melanoma of the Skin?

Relative survival statistics compare the survival of patients diagnosed with cancer with the survival of people in the general population who are the same age, race, and sex and who have not been diagnosed with cancer. Because survival statistics are based on large groups of people, they cannot be used to predict exactly what will happen to an individual patient. No two patients are entirely alike, and treatment and responses to treatment can vary greatly.

91.7%

Percent Surviving
5 Years

91.7%

Based on data from SEER 18 2007-2013. Gray figures represent those who have died from melanoma of the skin. Green figures represent those who have survived 5 years or more.

Additional Information

Survival by Stage

Cancer stage at diagnosis, which refers to extent of a cancer in the body, determines treatment options and has a strong influence on the length of survival. In general, if the cancer is found only in the part of the body where it started it is localized (sometimes referred to as stage 1). If it has spread to a different part of the body, the stage is regional or distant. The earlier melanoma of the skin is caught, the better chance a person has of surviving five years after being diagnosed. For melanoma of the skin, 83.7% are diagnosed at the local stage. The 5-year survival for localized melanoma of the skin is 98.5%.

Percent of Cases & 5-Year Relative Survival by Stage at Diagnosis: Melanoma of the Skin
Percent of Cases by Stage
  • Localized (84%)
    Confined to Primary Site
  • Regional (9%)
    Spread to Regional Lymph Nodes
  • Distant (4%)
    Cancer Has Metastasized
  • Unknown (3%)
    Unstaged
84% localized; 9% regional; 4% distant; 3% unknown
5-Year Relative Survival
98.5% localized; 62.9% regional; 19.9% distant; 82.6% unstaged

SEER 18 2007-2013, All Races, Both Sexes by SEER Summary Stage 2000

Additional Information

Number of New Cases and DeathsShow More

How Common Is This Cancer?

Compared to other cancers, melanoma of the skin is fairly common.

Common Types of Cancer Estimated New
Cases 2017		 Estimated
Deaths 2017
1. Breast Cancer (Female) 252,710 40,610
2. Lung and Bronchus Cancer 222,500 155,870
3. Prostate Cancer 161,360 26,730
4. Colon and Rectum Cancer 135,430 50,260
5. Melanoma of the Skin 87,110 9,730
6. Bladder Cancer 79,030 16,870
7. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma 72,240 20,140
8. Kidney and Renal Pelvis Cancer 63,990 14,400
9. Leukemia 62,130 24,500
10. Endometrial Cancer 61,380 10,920

Melanoma of the skin represents 5.2% of all new cancer cases in the U.S.

5.2%

In 2017, it is estimated that there will be 87,110 new cases of melanoma of the skin and an estimated 9,730 people will die of this disease.

Who Gets This Cancer?

Melanoma is more common in men than women and among individuals of fair complexion and those who have been exposed to natural or artificial sunlight (such as tanning beds) over long periods of time. There are more new cases among whites than any other racial/ethnic group. The number of new cases of melanoma of the skin was 22.3 per 100,000 men and women per year based on 2010-2014 cases.

Percent of New Cases by Age Group: Melanoma of the Skin
0.4% under 20; 5.7% 20-34; 8.0% 35-44; 15.6% 45-54; 22.2% 55-64; 22.7% 65-74; 17.1% 75-84; 8.2% 85 and older

Melanoma of the skin is most frequently diagnosed among people aged 65-74.

Median Age
At Diagnosis

64

SEER 18 2010-2014, All Races, Both Sexes

Number of New Cases per 100,000 Persons by Race/Ethnicity & Sex: Melanoma of the Skin
MalesFemales
  • Male 29.2All RacesFemale 17.3
  • Male 34.4WhiteFemale 20.9
  • Male 1.1BlackFemale 1.0
  • Male 1.6Asian /
    Pacific Islander    Female 1.2
  • Male 4.3American Indian /
    Alaska Native    Female 4.9
  • Male 5.0HispanicFemale 4.7
  • Male 33.1Non-HispanicFemale 19.9

SEER 18 2010-2014, Age-Adjusted

Who Dies From This Cancer?

For melanoma of the skin, death rates are higher among the middle-aged and elderly. The number of deaths was 2.7 per 100,000 men and women per year based on 2010-2014 deaths.

Percent of Deaths by Age Group: Melanoma of the Skin
0.1% under 20; 2.0% 20-34; 4.6% 35-44; 11.2% 45-54; 20.1% 55-64; 22.8% 65-74; 24.1% 75-84; 15.1% 85 and older

The percent of melanoma of the skin deaths is highest among people aged 75-84.

Median Age
At Death

70

U.S. 2010-2014, All Races, Both Sexes

Number of Deaths per 100,000 Persons by Race/Ethnicity & Sex: Melanoma of the Skin
MalesFemales
  • Male 4.0All RacesFemale 1.7
  • Male 4.6WhiteFemale 1.9
  • Male 0.5BlackFemale 0.4
  • Male 0.4Asian /
    Pacific Islander    Female 0.3
  • Male 1.4American Indian /
    Alaska Native    Female 0.5
  • Male 1.0HispanicFemale 0.6
  • Male 4.3Non-HispanicFemale 1.8

U.S. 2010-2014, Age-Adjusted

Trends in RatesShow More

Changes Over Time

Keeping track of the number of new cases, deaths, and survival over time (trends) can help scientists understand whether progress is being made and where additional research is needed to address challenges, such as improving screening or finding better treatments.

Using statistical models for analysis, rates for new melanoma of the skin cases have been rising on average 1.4% each year over the last 10 years. Death rates have been stable over 2005-2014. 5-year survival trends are shown below the figure.

New Cases, Deaths and 5-Year Relative Survival View Data Table
Line graph showing Number of New Cases and Deaths per 100,000 from 1975-2014
Year 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2009
5-Year Relative Survival 81.8% 83.9% 86.2% 89.3% 90.2% 92.1% 93.3% 93.1%

SEER 9 Incidence & U.S. Mortality 1975-2014, All Races, Both Sexes. Rates are Age-Adjusted.

More About This CancerShow More

Melanoma

Anatomy of the skin, showing the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. Melanocytes are in the layer of basal cells at the deepest part of the epidermis.
Figure: Melanoma Anatomy
Click to enlarge.
Anatomy of the skin, showing the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. Melanocytes are in the layer of basal cells at the deepest part of the epidermis.

Skin cancer can occur anywhere on the body, but it is most common in skin that is often exposed to sunlight, such as the face, neck, hands, and arms. There are different types of cancer that start in the skin.

Melanoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the skin cells called melanocytes (cells that color the skin). Melanocytes are found throughout the lower part of the epidermis. They make melanin, the pigment that gives skin its natural color.

Additional Information

More Information

Here are some resources for learning more about melanoma of the skin.

References

All statistics in this report are based on statistics from SEER and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. Most can be found within:

Howlader N, Noone AM, Krapcho M, Miller D, Bishop K, Kosary CL, Yu M, Ruhl J, Tatalovich Z, Mariotto A, Lewis DR, Chen HS, Feuer EJ, Cronin KA (eds). SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2014, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, http://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2014/, based on November 2016 SEER data submission, posted to the SEER web site, April 2017.

Suggested Citation

All material in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission; citation as to source, however, is appreciated.

SEER Cancer Stat Facts: Melanoma of the Skin. National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/melan.html

These stat facts focus on population statistics that are based on the US population. Because these statistics are based on large groups of people, they cannot be used to predict exactly what will happen to an individual patient. To see tailored statistics, browse the SEER Cancer Statistics Review. To see statistics for a specific state, go to the State Cancer Profiles.

The statistics presented in these stat facts are based on the most recent data available, most of which can be found in the SEER Cancer Statistics Review. In some cases, different year spans may be used. Estimates for the current year are based on past data.

Cancer is a complex topic. There is a wide range of information available. These stat facts do not address causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up care, or decision making, although links are provided to information in many of these areas.