Loss in life expectancy in patients with stage II-III cutaneous melanoma in Sweden: A population-based cohort study

Background: Survival in cutaneous melanoma (CM) is heterogeneous. Loss in life expectancy (LLE) measures impact of CM on remaining lifespan compared to general population. Objectives: Investigating LLE in operated stage II -III CM patients. Methods: Data from 8061 patients (aged 40-80 years) with stage II e III CM in Sweden, diagnosed between 2005 and 2018, were analyzed (Swedish Melanoma Registry). A flexible parametric survival model estimated life expectancy and LLE. Results: Based on 2018 diagnoses, stage II and III CM patients lost 2209 and 1902 life years, respectively. LLE was higher in stage III: 5.2 versus 10.9 years (stage II vs III 60 -year -old females). Younger patients had higher LLE: 10.7 versus 3.9 years (stage II CM in 40 vs 70 -year -old males). In stage II, females had lower LLE than males; 50 -year -old females and males stage II CM had LLE equal to 7.3 and 8.3 years, respectively. LLE increased with higher substages, stage IIB resembling IIIB and IIC resembling IIIC-D. Limitations: Extrapolation was used to estimate LLE. Varying stage group sizes require caution. Conclusions: Our results are both clinically relevant and easy -to -interpret measures of the impact of CM on survival, but the results also summarize the prognosis over the lifetime of a CM patient. ( J Am Acad Dermatol 2024;90:963-9.)