Diagnosis-to-treatment intervals for melanoma in Brazil: a matter of geography?

INTRODUCTION: Melanoma is a type of skin cancer originating from melanocytes which may also affect mucous membranes, leptomeninges, and the uveal tract. Although less prevalent than other skin cancers, it has high lethality due to its aggressiveness, making it a significant public health problem in Brazil.
OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to assess the time elapsed between diagnosis and treatment initiation for patients with melanoma in different regions of the country in 2024. In addition, it sought to identify possible regional disparities in this interval, as well as to correlate this information with existing data in the literature.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed 4,405 cases of melanoma diagnosed in 2024, focusing on the diagnosis-to-treatment interval based on data from the Brazilian public health information systems (SISCAN, SIH, and SIA). The study assessed compliance with the 60-day legal maximum waiting time established by Law No. 12.732/2012 across the country's five macroregions.
RESULTS: Regional disparities were observed: the South Region had the best indicators (34.25% of cases treated within 30 days), while the North Region had the worst performance (22.41%). A high percentage of cases had no recorded treatment initiation dates (60.86% nationwide; 68.10% in the North), revealing weaknesses in health information systems and possibly in treatment delivery. Persistent delays and regional inequalities highlight structural deficiencies in the provision of oncology care.
CONCLUSION: The findings underscore the need to strengthen the regionalization of care, improve recordkeeping, and implement effective mechanisms to enforce legal time limits.

Keywords: Melanoma; Diagnosis; Brazil.