Presentation description

Melanoma accounts for only 2.3 percent of all skin cancer diagnoses but is responsible for approximately 75 percent of skin cancer-related deaths, making it the most lethal form of skin cancer. Despite its severity, many clinical trials for advanced melanoma treatments, such as immunotherapy, often exclude patients with significant comorbidities. This exclusion limits the generalizability of trial findings to real-world, medically complex patients and may contribute to disparities in care delivery and outcomes.

This descriptive study focused on patients with melanoma treated at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Our goal was to better understand the distribution of key clinical and demographic characteristics within this population. By identifying how comorbidities, cancer stage, and treatment types such as surgery, radiation, and immunotherapy vary across the patient population, we aimed to provide insight into how care is delivered to patients with diverse medical backgrounds. Additional variables, including smoking history and body mass index, were also examined to explore their associations with comorbidity presence and treatment selection.

A chi-square test was used to evaluate associations between categorical variables, such as the relationship between comorbidity status and cancer stage or treatment type. Data visualizations, including "Cancer Stage at Diagnosis Among Patients With and Without Comorbid Conditions" and "Comparison of Comorbidity Presence Across Age Categories in Melanoma Patients," helped illustrate how age, comorbidities, and treatment patterns intersect in this setting.

Understanding the patient distribution at Huntsman is essential for identifying patterns that influence treatment decisions and access. As the number of medically complex melanoma patients continues to increase, our findings underscore the importance of designing more inclusive treatment strategies that reflect the realities of patients seen in clinical practice. This Project may ultimately inform efforts to close gaps in care and improve outcomes for all patients with me