Epidemiological delineation of cutaneous melanoma cases treated in a tertiary hospital in Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil

Introduction: Cutaneous melanoma has significant relevance among malignant skin tumors, for despite its low incidence (3-4%) it is associated with the highest mortality. In Brazil, estimates for the year 2014 correspond to 10% of all cancers, establishing this as an important public health issue. Objectives: To present epidemiological data related to melanoma skin cancer in the midlands of the Brazilian State of São Paulo. Methods: Descriptive retrospective cross-sectional analysis of data from a tertiary hospital's medical records. The analysis was subject to measurement and information bias. A descriptive analysis with frequency and percentage was carried out. Results: There was a prevalence of cutaneous melanoma in women (71%), patients between 50 and 70 years of age (56%), Caucasians (78%), and individuals who identified their lesions through self-examination (42%), with predominant involvement of the trunk (35%). The most prevalent histological subtype was the superficial spreading (58%). Conclusions: Understanding the epidemiology of cutaneous melanoma in a given geographic region enables and facilitates medical actions, allowing for the better establishment of strategies for primary and secondary prevention.

Keywords: MELANOMA, EPIDEMIOLOGY, SKIN NEOPLASMS.