Penile Cancer Mortality in Brazil: Are We Making Progress?

PURPOSE: This study aims to analyze the trends in mortality rates from penile cancer (PeC) and the treatment modalities adopted in Brazil over recent years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Death records for PeC cases (International Classification of Diseases, version 10 C60) and treatment modalities were extracted from the DATASUS database. A joinpoint regression analysis was conducted to examine the data. RESULTS: A total of 7,848 deaths due to PeC were recorded in Brazil between 1996 and 2020. Increasing mortality trends were observed, with an average annual percentage change (AAPC) of 0.91 (0.6-1.2; P < .001). The North and Northeast regions had the highest age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) and AAPCs. From 2008 to 2020, the ASMR in the Northeast region remained stable, whereas the North region surpassed it. The Southeast region exhibited a significant downward trend, with an AAPC of -0.91 (-1.3 to -0.5; P < .001). Penile biopsies declined and were more frequent in the southeastern region. A total of 8,498 penile amputations were performed, with 39.4% and 29.1% conducted in the Southeast and Northeast regions, respectively. CONCLUSION: Brazil has experienced increasing mortality trends in PeC over the past 2 decades. Low schooling, married, and young men from the North or Northeast regions represent the majority of deaths. Urgent efforts are needed to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of PeC to prevent and reduce mortality rates in the country.

SURGICAL TREATMENT OF BREAST CANCER: DATA FROM A RENOWNED INSTITUTION IN THE BRAZILIAN NORTHEAST / Tratamento cirúrgico do câncer de mama: dados de uma instituição de referência do nordeste brasileiro

Introduction: Worldwide, breast cancer is the neoplasia that most affects women, after skin cancer, and accounts for 25% of new cases each year. Over the past 40 years, the survival rate has been increasing in developed countries ­ currently, it is 85% in 5 years ­, while in developing countries it remains between 50 and 60%. As such, routine use of mammography throughout the world is considerably important. Objectives: To describe demographic and pathological characteristics in addition to the surgical approach of patients with invasive breast carcinoma in a renowned institution. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study using secondary data obtained from medical records of breast cancer patients operated on at the Cancer Institute of Ceará (ICC), from 2002 to 2012. Data were analyzed using Epi Info 7.0 software. Results: The study population included 746 patients with primary breast tumors, of which 626 (84%) were invasive. Within the invasive breast tumors, the majority (554 ­ 88.49%) were of the invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) type. Concerning stages, 351 cases (56.07%) were stage II. The average age of patients was 41 to 50 years old, and T2 tumors measured approximately 2 to 5 cm. The most frequent surgery was a quadrantectomy. A sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNB) was performed in 368 patients (58.78%). Conclusion: O ur c asuistry p rovides i mportant i nformation w ith r egard t o t he p rofile o f p atients s urgically t reated a t a renowned public institution in the Brazilian Northeast. Diagnosing the disease at an advanced stage still occurs at this institution, which results in high rates of mastectomy. Thus, better results tend to be obtained as better screening proposals are provided.

Introdução: O câncer de mama é a neoplasia que mais acomete mulheres em todo o mundo após o câncer de pele, representando 25% dos casos novos a cada ano. Nos últimos 40 anos, a sobrevida vem aumentando nos países desenvolvidos ­ atualmente, é de 85% em 5 anos ­, enquanto nos países em desenvolvimento permanece entre 50 e 60%, tendo o uso rotineiro da mamografia considerável importância em todo o mundo. Objetivos: Descrever as características demográficas, patológicas e as abordagens cirúrgicas de pacientes com carcinoma invasivo da mama em uma instituição de referência. Métodos: Estudo transversal e descritivo, utilizando dados secundários obtidos nos prontuários médicos de pacientes com câncer de mama operadas no Instituto do Câncer do Ceará (ICC), entre os anos de 2002 e 2012. Os dados foram analisados por meio do software Epi Info 7.0. Resultados: A população de estudo correspondeu a 746 pacientes com tumores primários de mama, dos quais 626 (84%) apresentavam-se como invasivos, sendo a maioria (554 ­ 88,49%) do tipo carcinoma ductal invasivo (CDI). No que diz respeito ao estádio, 351 casos (56,07%) eram II. Prevaleceu a faixa etária de 41 a 50 anos, e os tumores T2 mediam aproximadamente 2 a 5 cm. A cirurgia mais frequente foi a quadrantectomia; e a biópsia do linfonodo sentinela (BLS) foi realizada em 368 pacientes (58,78%). Conclusão: Nossa casuística fornece informações importantes sobre o perfil de pacientes portadoras de tumor invasivo da mama tratadas cirurgicamente em uma instituição filantrópica do Nordeste brasileiro, referência no tratamento do câncer. O estadiamento avançado ao diagnóstico ainda é presente nessa instituição, o que determina elevadas taxas de mastectomia. Assim, melhores resultados tendem a ser obtidos à medida que são apresentadas melhores propostas de rastreio de massa.