Dados do Trabalho

Título

Frequency and factors associated with the duration of treatment for malignant neoplasm of the brain in children in Brazil between 2021 and 2022

Introdução

Malignant neoplasm of the brain is categorized as a brain tumor, in which there is an abnormal proliferation of cells in the nervous tissue. In Brazil, according to Law No. 12,732/2012, every patient with malignant neoplasm is entitled to the first treatment in the Unified Health System within 60 days, counted from the day the diagnosis is made in the pathological report.

Objetivo

To analyze the frequency and factors associated with the time for the treatment of malignant neoplasms of the brain in children aged 0 to 12 years, between 2021 and 2022.

Método

Observational, cross-sectional, descriptive, and qualitative study, evaluated secondary data available in the Panel-Oncology, considering the variables: macro-region, federal diagnostic unit, the federative unit of treatment, sex, age, and therapeutic modality. The time elapsed between the diagnosis and the beginning of cancer treatment was weighted. ≤ 60 days was considered an adequate time and > 60 days as delayed and inadequate. The Grubbs statistical test was used for data comparison and analysis.

Resultados e Conclusões

825 cases of neoplasia were identified. A total of 619 cases were included, as 206 (25%) had no information about the duration of treatment. The Southeast was the macro-region with the highest number of diagnoses (46.5%), with São Paulo being the federative unit with the highest number of cases. Analyzing the gender variable, there were 325 (52.5%) male patients and 294 (47.5%) female patients. Regarding treatment time, 92 (14.9%) cases were delayed in starting treatment, with the Southeast as the macro-region with the highest proportion of delays. Considering the therapeutic modality, surgery was the most chosen option, with 272 cases (44%), however, concerning treatment time, radiotherapy - with 160 (26%) - was the modality with the most delays. When using the G test to compare therapeutic modalities and treatment time, p<0.0001 was obtained. Comparing gender and treatment time, p=0.4022 was reached. Regarding age and treatment time, p=0.6336 was obtained. There was a significant number of cases without information about the treatment. Among those included, there was a significant delay in starting treatment. Regarding sex, age, and treatment time, the differences were not significant. Regarding the macro-region, there was a predominance of the Southeast, probably due to the demographic density.

Palavras Chave

Malignant neoplasm of the brain; treatment; frequency

Declaração de conflito de interesses de TODOS os autores

there is no conflict of interests