A type of increasing incidence cancer, the fourth most common in people between 0 and 44 years, has in Romania a survival rate at 5 years of only 50% and a quarter of cases is discovered in advanced stages. Specialists and patients meet to debate what to do.
A type of cancer is discovered late and treated in Romania: Pixabay
The optimization of the medical care of patients with melanoma is the topic that will be debated at the eighth edition of the National Conference “Together we can save lives”, which will take place, June 27-28, 2025, at ARCUB Bucharest. The event, organized by the Melanom Romania Association, will bring together over 100 participants, patients with melanoma and families from all over the country, including 25 speakers – doctors, researchers and experts from Romania and abroad, along with representatives of the authorities and the pharma industry.
The identification of treatment solutions is considered a priority, in the context of increasing the incidence of melanoma, an aggressive form of cancer. In Romania the incidence is estimated at 11.8 cases per 100,000 cases, ie 2,247 new cases per year. Melanoma is the fourth most common cancer in young people, 0-44 years, affecting young children and adults in full power.
There is a worrying that, in our country, only half of the patients diagnosed with melanoma are still alive five years after diagnosis, compared to a 90% survival rate in Western countries. A quarter of the diagnosed cases are discovered in advanced stages, also an important reason for concern.
“It is clear that we need strategic health and research measures to improve the chances of survival of patients with melanoma in Romania.”says Violeta Astratina, president of the Melanom Romania Association.
Genetic tests and counseling, undetected for melanoma in Romania
Melanoma is largely an preventable condition, but the latest studies show that about 15% of cases are associated with hereditary risk. One in seven patients can have mutations in genes associated with melanoma, the Melanom Romania Association shows, but nevertheless genetic tests and genetic counseling are not settled for melanoma in our country.
There are problems even when it comes to routine investigations, such as lymph node ultrasounds, pursuit of melanoma patients, monitoring analyzes and interventions for medical recovery, paid, in practice, by patients, although there are certain measures for reimbursement.
“Many patients find expertise only in private hospitals, where an intervention costs thousands of euros.”
Another problem reported by the Melanom Romania Association is that of surgery, such as the sentinel lymph node or recurrent metastase surgery.
“These must be done in centers with melanoma expertise, but their identification is a challenge. Many patients find expertise only in private hospitals, where an intervention costs thousands of euros, resulting in bankruptcy of patients and families, forced to borrow to banks to operate. There is a greater transparency on the medical service. The advanced melanoma, without the expected results. declares the president of the Association, Astratine Violet.
From the estimates of the association, more than 50% of patients with melanoma remain without treatment options due to the lack of clinical studies initiated in the public system and lack of support for participating in studies abroad. “A critical situation we observe in cases of rare melanomas, such as pediatric melanoma and eye melanoma, which do not currently benefit from effective treatments. Studies sponsored by the pharma industry, and so few in Romania, have strict eligibility criteria, and for patients without solutions, study with adapted design is needed, initiated by the needs, initiated by the needs, initiated by the needs, initiated by the needs. real. The president of the association, the Astratine Violeta, also shows.
