Abstract preview

Purpose: Cancer is the third cause of death and the fourth cause of hospital internments in Recife, State of Pernambuco, Brazil. Infant and Juvenile cancers represents two to three percent of all malignant tumors.
Method: This is a descriptive study based on data from the population-based cancer registry in the City of Recife. The Registry breaks down data about cancer into determined populations, with clinical and pathological characteristics statistically aggregated from various sources.
Results: Between 2002 and 2008 the Recife Registry captured 23.462 cancer cases, of which 527 (2.3%) occurred between infants and children 1-19 years of age. The majority of cases occurred between 15-19 years, (36.6%), and 0 to 4 years (26.9%); females showed the largest percentages of cases with 54.8%. Topographically, malignant tumors of the bone marrow and central nervous system are in first and second place respectively, with 41.1% and 28.2% of the cases. In third place is colon and uterine cancer with 19.0%.
Morphologically, leukemias are in first place with 23,1%. Residents of Sanitary Districts VI (20.7%) and II (17.6%) showed the most cases, these being neighborhoods of Varzea (5.3%) and Boa Viagem (4.4%), and Ibura (4.2%) being responsible for the majority of cases. Deaths occurred in greater proportion among adolescents 15-19 years of age (32.1%), children 0-4 years (29.9%).
Conclusion: Health professional surveillance and notification makes it possible to understand the epidemiological situation of infant and juvenile cancer, and permits targeting public policies of promotion, prevention, and integral attention to the patient in order to reduce morbidity and mortality.
FUNDING SOURCE – Ministry of Health of Brazil, Ministry of Education of Brazil (Programa de Educação Pelo Trabalho Para a Saúde – PET-SAÚDE)
Key Words: epidemiological profile, cancer, juvenile and infant cancers, health surveillance.

Epidemiological Profile Of Infant And Juvenile Cancer In The City Of Recife, Brazil 2002-2008