Prevalence of pain among melanoma patients

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. RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS:O melanoma maligno vem aumentando a sua incidência em todo o mundo; trata-se de uma neoplasia com elevada morbidade e mortalidade. O sintoma mais comum em pacientes com câncer é a dor, que é complexa, multifatorial e impacta diretamente a qualidade de vida dos pacientes. No entanto, há poucas informações sobre a prevalência de dor nessa população. O objetivo deste estudo foi observar a prevalência de dor em pacientes portadores de melanoma em um serviço de referência, além de obter informações a respeito dos tratamentos e sobre a incapacidade relacionada à dor. MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo, retrospectivo, exploratório de nível I, com abordagem quantitativa, realizado por meio da análise de 306 prontuários de pacientes portadores de melanoma. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de dor foi de 38,2%. Dentre os que se queixavam de dor, sua localização era a mesma da lesão em 20,5% dos casos, em 8% dos casos ela era no mesmo local das metástases do melanoma maligno e 55,8% responderam que a dor relacionava-se com a linfadenectomia. Dentre esses pacientes, 70% receberam tratamento para o controle da dor, 2% foram encaminhados para tratamento especializado e 75% relataram incapacidade relacionada à dor. CONCLUSÃO: Dor persistente é um sintoma prevalente e incapacitante relacionado ao melanoma que se relaciona tanto com o procedimento cirúrgico quanto com o estadiamento, o que exige ações de prevenção e tratamento precoce. Descritores: Dor, Melanoma, Prevalência. Prevalence of pain among melanoma patients Prevalência de dor em pacientes com melanoma INTRODUCTIONMalignant melanoma is an aggressive tumor, the incidence of which is increasing worldwide. In th...

Prevalence of symptoms and quality of life of cancer patients

“…Moreover, pain was reported by 58.6% of patients, with moderate intensity (6.7 ± 1.83 mean score), according to the numerical scale of pain (19) . In another study conducted in 2016, the prevalence of pain in patients with melanoma was 38.2%, of which 75% reported some related disability (20) .…”