Abstract
Background: According to statistics from the Panama National Cancer Registry, an increase in the incidence rate of melanoma has been seen, reaching twice as much in only two years, being 1.2/100 000 hab. in 2014 to 2.3/100 000 hab. in 2016, for both sexes. The prognosis of patients with melanoma is variable and closely related to the stage at the time of diagnosis. The base of treatment consists of surgery with negative margins and sentinel lymph node evaluation if there is no clinical lymphatic disease. When melanoma has metastasized, the 5 year OS will be only 15-20%. Over the last decade the systemic treatment of melanoma has advanced with giant steps thanks to the targeted therapy and immunotherapy. This therapies only have been available in our country in the last couple of years. Panama has a population of 4.09 millions, with multiple racial backgrounds thanks to the immigration attracted by the Panama Canal construction over a century ago. To this date there aren’t published studies about the characteristics, treatment and evolution of the melanoma patients in Panama.
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