Clinical and epidemiological profile of childhood cancer in the state of Alagoas, Brazil

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and epidemiological findings of childhood cancer in Alagoas. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, retrospective and quantitative study. All information related to the diagnosis of childhood neoplasms was collected from the records of Alagoas Oncology Centers. Results: The highest incidence was of males aged 5-9 years, brown, with no schooling, coming from the 1st health region. The most frequent neoplasms were: hematological tumors (leukemias and lymphomas), tumors of the central nervous system, renal, bone, retinoblastoma and soft tissues. The most used therapy in the treatment of the cases was chemotherapy. There was an increase in the average of diagnoses of new cases of childhood and adolescent cancer in the state of Alagoas. The lethality of childhood cancer in the period was 14.6%. Conclusion: Childhood cancer in Alagoas remains to be a relatively rare and low incidence disease. The increase of the cases verified for the State may be associated to several factors, among them, the greater professional qualification for screening of clinical signs and symptoms, with consequent referral to specialized units for early diagnostic investigation.