Burden of skin cancer in Colombia

Abstract

Background Levels of incidence and mortality of skin cancer in Colombia and Latin America are largely unknown. Objectives Present the available information from official and gray literature and governmental databases to grasp the magnitude and characteristics of skin cancer in Colombia (middle-income Latin American country).Methods Narrative review based on a literature search (2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015)(2016)(2017)(2018)(2019)(2020), gray literature and cancer registry and governmental warehouse data, calculation of proportions and agestandardized incidence (ASIR) and mortality rates (ASMR), expressed per 100,000 personyears.Results ASIR of cutaneous melanoma in Colombia is around 3, corresponding ASMR between 0.7 and 0.8. Distinctive features are the high proportion and rates for acral melanomas, and the advanced stage at diagnosis in the general population but not in private clinics. For non-melanoma skin cancer, ASIR is at least around 35-40, ASMR 0.8. Conclusions Among the wealthy Colombians, melanoma features are similar to those of high incidence countries (but of lower magnitude), whereas the majority of the population present distinct features with a much higher proportion of acral melanomas, very late stages at diagnosis, and poor prognosis. More advanced melanomas seem to have a relation with lower socioeconomic status. Non-melanoma skin cancer is common, with very high mortality rates at levels even above those of predominantly fair-skinned populations, implying high fatality rates for non-melanoma skin cancers. This could indicate a late diagnosis or difficulties in access to treatment, illustrating the need for primary and secondary prevention to reduce the burden of disease and improve the prognosis of this common cancer.

Cutaneous melanoma incidence, mortality, and survival in Manizales, Colombia: a population-based study

“…In this sense, it is noteworthy that the frequency of advanced stages in Manizales (27.3%) was found to be much higher than that of high-incidence countries (approximately 8%); 30 , 31 moreover, advanced stage at diagnosis has been identified as a distinctive feature of CM in Colombia. 32 …”

“…In this sense, it is noteworthy that the frequency of advanced stages in Manizales (27.3%) was found to be much higher than that of high-incidence countries (approximately 8%); 30,31 moreover, advanced stage at diagnosis has been identified as a distinctive feature of CM in Colombia. 32 Health insurance has been reported to be a predictor of survival in patients with cancer (including CM) in Colombia 5,33,34 and the United States. 35 Nonetheless, in this study, we found no differences in survival according to HIR, which could be owing to the low frequency of cases in some categories, particularly for the special and exception HIR.…”

Clinical Outcomes and Prognostic Factors of Patients With Early Malignant Melanoma in One Latin American Country: Results of the Epidemiological Registry of Malignant Melanoma in Colombia Study

“…15 The data reported in this research offer complementary information that had not been previously reported in our country. The finding that there were an average of 3.6 deaths per 100 patients with early melanoma per year and OS at 5 years of 83% is relevant because despite having a lower incidence in Colombia, 16 survival is lower when compared with that reported for the North American population, where there are 5-year OS records of 99.4%. 17 In the study of the burden of skin cancer in Colombia, the importance of some differential aspects for our country was highlighted, such as a high proportion of acral melanomas and diagnosis in more advanced stages, factors that together could modify the prognosis of Colombian patients.…”

UVR Exposure and Prevention of Street Construction Workers in Colombia and Germany

“…According to current figures, this cannot be confirmed: In Germany, the incidence in men is 186/100,000 citizens and in women it is 143/100,000 citizens [ 57 ]. In Colombia, on the other hand, it is about 40/100,000 citizens [ 58 ]. However, these figures are only comparable to a limited extent, as in many countries there is a clear underreporting of the figures.…”