Fatores associados ao tempo entre o diagnóstico e o início do tratamento do câncer infantojuvenil / Factors associated with the time between diagnosis and initiation of childhood cancer treatment

Objetivou-se analisar a distribuição do câncer infantojuvenil e identificar fatores associados ao atraso no início do tratamento oncológico, na Paraíba, a partir dos Registros Hospitalares de Câncer, de 2010 a 2018. Estudo observacional, descritivo e analítico, com 896 registros de crianças e adolescentes (0-19 anos), identificando-se características epidemiológicas, clínicas e o cumprimento da Lei Federal 12.732/12 (lei dos 60 dias para início do tratamento). Os dados foram analisados pela regressão logística (α=5%). Constatou-se que 80,2% dos pacientes iniciaram o tratamento no tempo previsto por lei (≤ 60 dias). Observou-se que indivíduos de 10 a 19 anos, com tumores sólidos, submetidos à cirurgia e tratados em um dos quatro RHC's da Paraíba apresentam maiores chances de terem a terapia antineoplásica iniciada em um tempo superior a 60 dias. Conclui-se que o atraso no início do tratamento contra o câncer infantojuvenil está associado a características epidemiológicas e clínicas dos pacientes oncológicos pediátricos.

This study aimed to analyze the distribution of childhood cancer and identify factors associated with delay in starting cancer treatment, in the state of Paraíba, from the Hospital-Based Cancer Registries (HBCR), from 2010 to 2018. Observational, descriptive and analytical study, with 896 records of children and adolescents (0-19 years), identifying epidemiological and clinical characteristics and compliance with Federal Law 12732/12 (maximum of 60 days to start treatment). Data were analyzed by logistic regression (α=5%). The results showed that 80.2% patients started treatment within the time prescribed by law (≤ 60 days). Individuals aged 10 to 19 years, with solid tumors, undergoing surgery and treated in one of the four HBCR in Paraíba are more likely to have anticancer therapy initiated after 60 days. The delay in starting treatment against childhood cancer is associated with epidemiological and clinical characteristics of pediatric cancer patients.

Caracterização do câncer infantojuvenil no Brasil a partir dos Registros Hospitalares de Câncer (RHC), 2000-2016 / Characterization of childhood cancer in Brazil from the hospital-based cancer registries, 2000-2016 / Caracterización del cáncer infantil en Brasil a partir de los Registros de Cáncer del Hospital (RCH), 2000-2016

Objetivo: caracterizar o câncer infantojuvenil no Brasil, a partir da investigação nacional e regional dos registros hospitalares de câncer, no período de 2000 a 2016. Método: estudo observacional, retrospectivo e de base secundária, com amostra de 71.925 registros contendo informações de crianças e adolescentes (0 a 19 anos). Resultados: o câncer infantojuvenil foi mais frequente no sexo masculino com 39.049 (54,3%) casos, existindo 22.391 (31,1%) registros de crianças de 0 e 4 anos de idade e 19.892 (40,4%) com cor de pele parda. As leucemias, doenças mieloproliferativas e doenças mielodisplásicas acometeram 20.744 (28,8%) indivíduos. Os tumores sólidos foram diagnosticados em 42.087 (58,5%) crianças e adolescentes, sendo 23.941 (48,7%) submetidas a quimioterapia no início do tratamento e 56.518 (78,6%) que iniciaram o tratamento até 60 dias após comprovação diagnóstica. Conclusão: foi possível conhecer o perfil demográfico, clínico e assistencial das crianças e adolescentes com câncer no Brasil, e por regiões

Objective: to characterize childhood cancer in Brazil, based on the national and regional investigation of hospital-based cancer registries, from 2000 to 2016. Method: observational, retrospective and secondary-based study, with a sample of 71,925 records containing information of children and adolescents (0 to 19 years old). Results: infant-juvenile cancer was more frequent in males with 39,049 (54.3%) cases, with 22,391 (31.1%) records of children aged 0 and 4 years and 19,892 (40.4%) with color of brown skin. Leukemias, myeloproliferative diseases and myelodysplastic diseases affected 20,744 (28.8%) individuals. Solid tumors were diagnosed in 42,087 (58.5%) children and adolescents,23,941 (48.7%) of which underwent chemotherapy at the beginning of treatment and 56,518 (78.6%) who started treatment within 60 days of the diagnosis. Conclusion: it was possible to know the demographic, clinical and care profile of children and adolescents with cancer in Brazil, and by region

Objetivo: caracterizar el cáncer infantil en Brasil, con base en la investigación nacional y regional de registros hospitalarios de cáncer, de 2000 a 2016. Método: estudio observacional, retrospectivo y secundario, con una muestra de 71,925 registros que contienen información de niños. y adolescentes (0 a 19 años). Resultados: el cáncer infantil-juvenil fue más frecuente en el sexo masculino con 39.049 (54,3%) casos, con 22.391 (31,1%) registros de niños de 0 y 4 años y 19.892 (40,4%) con color de piel morena. Las leucemias, enfermedades mieloproliferativas y enfermedades mielodisplásicas afectaron a 20.744 (28,8%) individuos. Se diagnosticaron tumores sólidos en 42.087 (58,5%) niños y adolescentes, 23.941 (48,7%) de los cuales se sometieron a quimioterapia al inicio del tratamiento y 56.518 (78,6%) que iniciaron el tratamiento dentro de los 60 días del diagnóstico. Conclusión: fue posible conocer el perfil demográfico, clínico y de atención de niños y adolescentes con cáncer en Brasil y por región

Impact of COVID-19 on Oral Healthcare for Oncopediatric Patients: The Setting in a Reference Hospital in Northeast Brazil

Abstract Objective: To describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental care provided to pediatric cancer patients assisted in a referral hospital. Material and Methods: This is an observational, retrospective study based on secondary data extracted from worksheets of dental procedures for patients aged between 0 and 19 years assisted in the pediatric oncology sector of a hospital in João Pessoa, PB, Brazil. Dental procedures performed by the interdisciplinary team of researchers from August 2018 to February 2020 (19 months prior to the pandemic) and from April 2020 to October 2021 (19 months during the pandemic) were totaled and compared. A descriptive analysis of the data was performed. Results: There was a reduction of 80.2% in dental interventions implemented in the sector during the pandemic, with the number of procedures decreasing from 6,210 (the period before the pandemic) to 1,229 (during the pandemic). Most procedures in both periods were performed for patients assisted in beds, for whom there was a reduction of care provided for 81.2% from 5,275 to 994 procedures. Dental procedures in the outpatient clinic decreased by 74.9%, from 935 to 235. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted dental care provided to pediatric oncology patients by restricting dental procedures to emergency demands, compromising performance prevention and health promotion actions.

Geographic Distribution of Childhood Cancer in Brazil and the Time between the Diagnosis and the Start of Treatment: An Analysis of Hospital-Based Cancer Registries, 2010-2016

Abstract Objective: To analyze the distribution of childhood cancer in Brazil and the time between the diagnosis and the start of treatment, according to hospital-based cancer registries (2010-2016). Material and Methods: This was an observational descriptive study using secondary data (36,187 records) from hospital databases of the National Cancer Institute (INCA) and the Onco-center Foundation of São Paulo (FOSP). Epidemiological data were obtained, and compliance with Federal Law 12,732/12 was verified, which establishes a maximum period of 60 days to start cancer therapy after the diagnosis. Absolute and percent frequencies, central tendency and dispersion measures, and the coefficient of prevalence of childhood cancer were calculated. Results: The mean age of the pediatric patients was 9.3 years (± 6.2); 54.1% (n=19,586) of them were males; 32.0% (n=11,440) were aged 0 to 4 years; and 43.4% (n=11,338) had a self-reported mixed-race skin color. The Southeast region of Brazil accounted for 40.2% (n=14,564) of the cases, of which 63.0% (n=9,178) corresponded to solid neoplasms, as opposed to the North region, where hematological neoplasms prevailed (53.9%, n=1,535). Most registered patients aged 0 to 19 years were treated in 60 days or less (77%, n=27,929). However, for 24.0% (n = 2,207) of adolescents (15 to 19 years) this time was more than 60 days after the diagnosis. Conclusion: The characteristics related to childhood cancer varied across the Brazilian geographic regions, and most patients were properly treated within the time enforced by law.

Motor Alterations Favor the Occurrence of Oral Mucositis in Pediatric Oncology Patients

Objective: To identify the predictive factors for the appearance of oral mucositis (OM) in pediatric oncology patients based on their motor alterations. Material and Methods: This study was an observational, cross-sectional study with 2-19-year-old patients undergoing treatment at the pediatric oncology outpatient service of the Napoleão Laureano Hospital in João Pessoa, Brazil. The convenience sample consisted of 42 patients aged 2 to 19 years with a first diagnosis of cancer and under treatment. The instruments used were a questionnaire with sociodemographic questions - the modified Oral Assessment Guide (OAG) - and some categories of the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (CIF), applied by a calibrated examiner (Kappa>0.65). The data were organized in Excel spreadsheet and analyzed descriptively and inferentially using logistic regression (α=5%). Results: Most patients were female (52.4%, n=22), mean age of 11.6 years, median 12.0 years, self-declared as non-white (61.9%, n=26), non-white (66.7%, n=28), family monthly income of up to 2 Brazilian minimum wages (88.1%, n = 37). Most patients presented hematologic neoplasia (54.8%, n=23) with acute lymphoid leukemia (36.6%; n=15) and most of them were subjected to chemotherapy (45.2%; n = 19). OAG identified oral mucositis in a few cases (23.8%, n=10). Logistic regression and odds ratio showed that individuals with moderate and mild difficulty in changing basic body position had, respectively, 19.7 and 30.8 times more chances of developing oral mucositis. In patients with severe motor impairment, this risk is 17.3 times greater and those with mild difficulty in taking care of the bodily parts had an increase of 33.4 times the risk for oral mucositis. Conclusion: The deficit in motor activities increased the chances of developing oral mucositis.