[Descriptive study of the costs of diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous melanoma].
BACKGROUND
Every year, health expenditure in Spain increases and, with it, the resources dedicated to cancer treatment. Cutaneous melanoma is the skin cancer with the highest morbidity and mortality.


OBJECTIVE
We performed a descriptive study of the costs, based on a theoretical model, to determine the healthcare expenditure for patients with cutaneous melanoma; the objective was to define the overall costs (direct and indirect) of the diagnostic and treatment process of cutaneous melanoma, divided into different stages or diagnostic-therapeutic steps, and the possible variations in these costs.


METHODS
For this purpose, we used the Andalusian analytical accountancy program of hospitals and districts (COAN-hyd) and the total costs module of the COAN for 2007, applied to the protocol we use in the melanoma unit of our hospital.


CONCLUSIONS
The most important conclusions were that the greatest health care expenditure was observed inpatients with more advanced melanomas, with a poor prognosis. Management of the diagnostic-therapeutic process by dermatologists, the appropriate use of complementary tests, and operations performed by dermatologists reduce costs.
Almazán-Fernández
F M
FM
Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Clínico San Cecilio, Granada, España. almazanweb@yahoo.es
Serrano-Ortega
S
S
Moreno-Villalonga
J J
JJ
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000191:economics; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000191:economics; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000191:economics; D004180:Direct Service Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016527:Drug Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017721:Hospital Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics* / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000191:economics; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy; D013030:Spain; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000191:economics
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents