Recent global patterns in skin cancer incidence, mortality, and prevalence - Research report - analysis

Sep 21, 2026

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Skin cancer incidence and mortality continue to rise globally, with burden varying by geography and population characteristics. This report updates recent evidence using GLOBOCAN 2022 data, reviewing incidence and mortality for melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer across five continents and top countries/regions. Associations between Human Development Index (HDI) and age-standardized incidence and mortality are evaluated. Results highlight regional incidence differences, relatively limited geographic variation in mortality, and differing HDI correlations by cancer type.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

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Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Recent global patterns in skin cancer incidence, mortality, and prevalence Mingyue Wang1,2,3,4, Xinghua Gao1,2,3,4, Li Zhang1,2,3,4 1Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China; 2NHC Key Laboratory of Immunodermatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China; 3Key Laboratory of Immunodermatology, China Medical University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China; 4National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Immunodermatological Theranostics, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China. Abstract Background: Skin cancer is a common skin disease whose incidence and mortality rates have been showing yearly increases. In this report, we update the most recent data on skin cancer as obtained from GLOBOCAN 2022. Methods: The incidence and mortality rates of skin cancer (melanoma of skin and non-melanoma skin cancer) in GLOBOCAN 2022 were reviewed. These data were analyzed and the characteristics of incidence and mortality across five continents and top five countries and regions in each continent are presented. In addition, correlations between Human Development Index (HDI) and age-standardized incidence and mortality rates of these two skin cancers are described. Results: The GLOBOCAN 2022 data indicated that melanoma was the 17th most common cancer. An estimated 331,722 people were diagnosed with melanoma globally and approximately 58,667 died from this disease. For non-melanoma skin cancer, it ranks as the 5th most common cancer, and an estimated 1,234,533 people were diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer globally and approximately 69,416 died from this disease. The incidence of skin cancer varies across geographic regions and countries, with a predominance observed in Oceania, North America, and Europe. Australia was ranked first in terms of incidence, while incidence rates in Africa and Asia were very low. Despite these regional differences in incidence, there was little geographic variation in mortality rates. Currently, the number of deaths from non-melanoma skin cancer exceeds that of melanoma of skin. HDI was positively associated with the incidence of both types of skin cancers, with a positive correlation obtained between HDI and mortality from melanoma of skin and a negative correlation between HDI and mortality from non-melanoma skin cancer. Conclusions: Skin cancer remains a major disease burden worldwide. Substantial variations are observed across countries and regions. Further research on skin cancer will be required to provide a rationale for more effective preventions and treatments of this condition. Keywords: Global patterns; Skin cancer; Incidence; Mortality; Prevalence; GLOBOCAN 2022 Introduction Skin cancer is a malignant tumor originating in skin cells and represents one of the most common cancers worldwide. [1] Two main types of skin cancer which have been characterized include melanoma of skin, which originates from melanocytes, and non-melanoma skin cancer, which originates from keratinocytes. Non-melanoma skin cancer further includes basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin, as well as other types of skin cancers. [2] Melanoma of skin is highly accretive, invasive, and metastatic, whereas BCCis generally slow-growing and rarely metastasizes, and | Access this article online | | | --- | --- | | Quick Response Code: | Website:
[www.cmj.org](www.cmj.org) | | | DOI:
10.1097/CM9.0000000000003416 | some subtypes of malignant SCC squamous can be highly invasive and metastatic. [3] Globally, non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common malignant tumor among Caucasians and its incidence has been increasing. It is significantly more prevalent than melanoma and exerts a serious impact on global healthcare and well-being. [4] As based on Global Cancer 2020 data, the number of new non-melanoma skin cancer cases (except for BCC) was 1,198,073, accoun

FAQs

What is the relationship between HDI and cancer outcomes?

HDI shows a positive association with incidence for both skin cancer types. HDI correlates positively with melanoma mortality, but negatively with non-melanoma skin cancer mortality.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Aurelia