EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL PROFILE OF PATIENTS WITH MELANOMA TREATED WITH IMMUNOTHERAPY IN PARANÁ BETWEEN 2018 AND 2024

Abstract

Introduction: Melanoma is an aggressive type of skin cancer, whose incidence has been progressively increasing in Brazil, especially among people with fair skin. The introduction of immunotherapy in the Unified Health System (SUS) in 2018 represented a milestone in the treatment of the disease, with new perspectives on survival and quality of life. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the clinical and epidemiological profile of patients with melanoma in the state of Paraná between 2018 and 2024, observing the impact of the admission of immunotherapy. Methodology: This is descriptive, quantitative and retrospective research, with data extracted from DATASUS and INCA. Variables such as age, sex, race/color and type of treatment were evaluated. Results: In the analyzed period, 3,479 cases were registered. Most patients were 60 years or older (53.3%) and white (82.3%). The distribution between the sexes was balanced, with a slight male predominance (50.2%). There was a significant reduction in the use of chemotherapy, from 167 cases in 2018 to 54 in 2024, and an expressive increase in the combined use of surgery and immunotherapy, from 2 to 44 cases. The results suggest a positive trend in the management of melanoma, with increasing use of less toxic and more effective therapies. Conclusion: The advancement of immunotherapy in the SUS has contributed to transforming the panorama of melanoma treatment in Paraná, reinforcing the need for public policies aimed at early diagnosis and expanding access to innovative therapies.