Survival of Patients with Cutaneous Melanoma in the Western Region of Santa Catarina, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: The Western region of Santa Catarina has environmental and population-based characteristics that contribute to a higher incidence of cutaneous melanoma. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the survival rate of patients diagnosed with cutaneous melanoma in the west of the State of Santa Catarina and correlate it with prognostic factors. Methodology: A retrospective longitudinal study was performed, based on clinical and anatomopathological data from patients treated with cutaneous melanoma in a referral center for treatment and Cancer Registry in the west of Santa Catarina, considering an eight-year follow-up. Results: The survival rate was 71%. The prognostic factors associated with better survival were: female gender, occupation without a history of sun exposure, lesions with mitosis and the superficial spreading melanoma and lentigomaligna melanoma histological types. Conclusion: The survival rate found in patients with cutaneous melanoma in the West of Santa Catarina is similar to findings in studies conducted in areas of high incidence of this neoplasm.