Clinical characterization of recurrences of locally advanced melanoma patients

• Grant number: 18/08885-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2018
• End date: September 30, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Vinicius de Lima Vazquez
• Grantee: Ana Paula Trindade Moraco
• Host Institution: Hospital do Câncer de Barretos. Fundação Pio XII (FP). Barretos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Skin cancer is the most incident cancer of all and is basically divided in non-melanoma and melanoma. Melanoma is the most aggressive type among those described, with a high risk of metastatic dissemination. Its incidence is low in Brazil, but the mortality is considered high. The most frequent clinical sign is the change of a pigment lesion, changing color or its size. Microscopic staging is done through the Clark levels (skin levels of invasion) and Breslow (vertical tumor thickness in millimeters). The latter is an essential component for the TNM staging and a powerful prognostic factor. The initial treatment is based on a surgical excision of melanoma and is well accepted in patients with melanoma in the early stages. In metastatic patients, chemotherapy is still used, but new treatments such as use of immunotherapies and BRAF inhibitors have proved successful in increasing survival.The recurrence of the melanoma may be local/in transit, regional or distant. About one third of melanoma patients will have recurrence of the disease, which may occur soon after diagnosis or late. This study will characterize the relapses of patients with locally advanced disease (stages IIC and III) by describing their demographic, clinical and histopathological characteristics, diagnostic methods and timing of recurrences.