2025-02-252017-09-25https://repositorio.cmmg.edu.br/handle/123456789/97Introduction: Melanoma is the skin cancer with the worst prognosis and is responsible for most of the skin cancer-related deaths. Even with the innovations of target immunotherapies and therapies, most patients with metastatic melanoma still evolve to death. So knowing the conditions in which advanced melanoma patients live at their end of life is important in helping doctors determine better control of symptoms and improve the quality of death of these patients. Objective: To evaluate the symptoms in the period before death and to identify the place where it occurred, the caregiver's opinion about the ideal environment for death and end-of-life care. METHOD: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study that used secondary data (review of medical records of 818 patients with melanoma) and interviews with caregivers between 2015 and 2016. Among 66 confirmed deaths, 32 patients were effectively included in the study, and the signs and symptoms were evaluated. most prevalent symptoms 1 month, 1 week and on the day of death. Results: Pain (40.63%) was the most disturbing symptom for patients. Digestive symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and weight loss were very prevalent and cumulative from the 30th day of death. Complaints of limitation for ambulation, personal hygiene and depression also showed high prevalence from 30 days before death. In the week prior to death these symptoms were more prevalent showing inadequate control, however, on the day of death there was no significant change. The majority of patients died in the hospital (84.38%) and, according to caregivers, this is the best place to provide better conditions and control of symptoms. Conclusion: Controlling the most prevalent symptoms improves the quality of death of patients. It highlights the importance of accessing their conditions and preferences, especially the place where they wish to die, and thus, plan a treatment according to their needs.Acesso abertoCuidados paliativos, Controle de sintomas, Necessidades de cuidados, Melanoma; End-of-life care; Symptom control; Care needs; Melanoma.Dissertação4.01.00.00-6 - Medicina