Meta-Analysis of Melanoma and Nevi

在美国，皮肤恶性黑色素瘤的发病率比任何其他癌症都增长得快。由于早期诊断和干预在潜在改变恶性黑色素瘤的过程中很重要，因此注意力集中在识别高危个体上。根据医学文献，痣的定量测量与黑色素瘤的风险之间存在相关性。本提案的目标是通过结合相对风险估计及其与先前进行的研究的差异来进行与黑色素瘤相关的研究。将通过痣计数（全身和部位特异性）的大型荟萃分析以及与黑色素瘤的关系来检查观察到的相关性的强度和一致性。最终，相对风险估计（RR）的强度和一致性可能会集中在计划的病例对照研究中的措施选择或指导未来的临床或实验室研究。此外，对相对风险（RR）估计的定量审查将有助于识别高风险人群，并可能指导社区内未来的癌症预防工作。

The incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma is increasing faster than any other cancer in the United States. Since early diagnosis and intervention are important in potentially altering the course of malignant melanoma, attention has focused on identifying individuals at high risk. According to the medical literature, there is a correlation between quantitative measures of nevi and risk of melanoma. The goal of this proposal is to conduct research pertinent to melanoma by combining relative risk estimates and their variances from previously conducted studies. The strengths and consistency of the observed associations will be examined through a large meta-analysis of nevi counts (total body and site-specific) and the relation to melanoma. Eventually, the strength and consistency of the relative risk estimates (RRs) may focus the selection of measures in a planned case-control study or direct future clinical or laboratory investigations. Moreover, a quantitative review of relative risk (RRs) estimates will help identify high-risk populations, and may guide future cancer prevention efforts within the community.