ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
The incidence of malignant melanoma is increasing worldwide. This is a tumor with high morbidity and mortality. Most common symptom of cancer patients is pain, which is complex, multifactorial and directly impacts patients' quality of life. However, there is little information about the prevalence of pain in this population. This study aimed at observing the prevalence of pain among melanoma patients in a reference center, in addition to obtaining information about treatments and pain-related incapacity.
METHODS:
Descriptive, retrospective, exploratory study level I, with quantitative approach, carried out by means of the analysis of 306 medical records of melanoma patients.
RESULTS:
The prevalence of pain was 38.2%. Among those with pain complaints, its location was the same as the injury in 20.5% of cases, in 8% of cases it was at the same site of malignant melanoma metastases and 55.8% have stated that pain was related to lymphadenectomy. Among such patients, 70% were treated to control pain, 2% were referred to specialized treatment and 75% have reported pain-related incapacity.
CONCLUSION:
Persistent pain is a prevalent and disabling melanoma-related symptom which is related both to the surgical procedure and the staging, requiring early prevention and treatment actions.
Keywords:
Melanoma; Pain; Prevalence
