Burden of skin cancer in Colombia

BackgroundLevels of incidence and mortality of skin cancer in Colombia and LatinAmerica are largely unknown.ObjectivesPresent the available information from official and gray literature andgovernmental databases to grasp the magnitude and characteristics of skin cancer inColombia (middle-income Latin American country).MethodsNarrative review based on a literature search (2005–2020), gray literature andcancer registry and governmental warehouse data, calculation of proportions and age-standardized incidence (ASIR) and mortality rates (ASMR), expressed per 100,000 person-years.ResultsASIR of cutaneous melanoma in Colombia is around 3, corresponding ASMRbetween 0.7 and 0.8. Distinctive features are the high proportion and rates for acralmelanomas, and the advanced stage at diagnosis in the general population but not inprivate clinics. For non-melanoma skin cancer, ASIR is at least around 35–40, ASMR 0.8.ConclusionsAmong the wealthy Colombians, melanoma features are similar to those ofhigh incidence countries (but of lower magnitude), whereas the majority of the populationpresent distinct features with a much higher proportion of acral melanomas, very latestages at diagnosis, and poor prognosis. More advanced melanomas seem to have arelation with lower socioeconomic status. Non-melanoma skin cancer is common, with veryhigh 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 latediagnosis or difficulties in access to treatment, illustrating the need for primary andsecondary prevention to reduce the burden of disease and improve the prognosis of thiscommon cancer.Q2BackgroundLevels of incidence and mortality of skin cancer in Colombia and LatinAmerica are largely unknown.ObjectivesPresent the available information from official and gray literature andgovernmental databases to grasp the magnitude and characteristics of skin cancer inColombia (middle-income Latin American country).MethodsNarrative review based on a literature search (2005–2020), gray literature andcancer registry and governmental warehouse data, calculation of proportions and age-standardized incidence (ASIR) and mortality rates (ASMR), expressed per 100,000 person-years.ResultsASIR of cutaneous melanoma in Colombia is around 3, corresponding ASMRbetween 0.7 and 0.8. Distinctive features are the high proportion and rates for acralmelanomas, and the advanced stage at diagnosis in the general population but not inprivate clinics. For non-melanoma skin cancer, ASIR is at least around 35–40, ASMR 0.8.ConclusionsAmong the wealthy Colombians, melanoma features are similar to those ofhigh incidence countries (but of lower magnitude), whereas the majority of the populationpresent distinct features with a much higher proportion of acral melanomas, very latestages at diagnosis, and poor prognosis. More advanced melanomas seem to have arelation with lower socioeconomic status. Non-melanoma skin cancer is common, with veryhigh 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 latediagnosis or difficulties in access to treatment, illustrating the need for primary andsecondary prevention to reduce the burden of disease and improve the prognosis of thiscommon cancer.https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5560-2258Revista Nacional - IndexadaA2N