OBJECTIVES : The incidence of melanoma increases from the age of 40 and has shown differences between men and women. The early detection is associated with better survival and reflects the ability of management in issues of promotion and prevention; therefore, our objective was to evaluate the differences by sex in the incidence of melanoma and its distribution by stage at diagnosis, in adults treated within the Colombian health system.

METHODS : The records of adults (> 39 years) diagnosed with melanoma between January 2, 2018 and January 1, 2019 were extracted from the administrative registry of cancer managed by the High Cost Account (CAC, by its Spanish acronym*). Age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) were calculated using the direct method. The population estimated by the Administrative Department of National Statistics (DANE*) and that one projected by the United Nations for Latin America and the Caribbean were used as a reference. Stage at diagnosis was classified as in-situ, early stages (I-II), advanced (III-IV) and unknown. Differences were assessed using a two-tailed hypothesis test and the p-value was set at 0.05

RESULTS : 434 new cases of melanoma were reported (58.53% women; 41.47% men) in 2019. In both sexes included, the ASIR was 2.69 cases per 100,000 adults (CI 95% 2.42-2.97). In women the ASIR was 2.71 cases per 100,000 (CI 95% 2,39-3,04) versus 2.31 cases per 100,000 in men (CI 95% 1,94-2,68). 24.42% of cases were diagnosed in early stages, 20.28% in advanced stages, 35.02% was in-situ, and 20.28% unknown, without statistically significant differences between the sexes.

CONCLUSIONS : During the period, there were no differences in the ASIR by sex. Stage distribution was similar in women and men. However, the frequency of cases in early stages was lower compared to the reported in other geographic settings. Therefore, early diagnosis strategies must be strengthened to achieve better results.