Analysis of Survival of Pediatric Patients with Leukemias and Lymphomas in the Oncological Context: Epidemiological Study in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, 2000-2022

Abstract

Introduction: The time taken for screening, detection and initiation of treatment is a determining factor for therapeutic management in oncology. The availability of reliable data guides decisions for public policies and evaluates compliance with these policies. Objective: To analyze the survival and outcomes of pediatric patients with leukemia and lymphoma from 2000 to 2022. Method: Epidemiological, descriptive study, with data extracted from Fundação Oncocentro do Estado de São Paulo, according to the International Classification of Childhood Cancer (ICCC). The time elapsed between the first consultation and diagnosis was evaluated, between diagnosis and the start of oncological treatment, and the survival of these patients, calculated according to the Peto-Peto test. Results: 12,030 cases were analyzed, 6,994 in males and 7,292 with leukemia. The probability of the time between consultation and diagnosis exceeds 30 days was 49.29% for leukemias and 76.31 for lymphomas, a significant result for treatment and relapses (p < 0.001) but not in relation to sex; the time between diagnosis and treatment exceeding 60 days was 38.04% for leukemias and 71.97% for lymphomas. Not undergoing treatment was significant (p < 0.001) while waiting for diagnosis after consultation for patients with leukemia and lymphomas, except surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy combined. Conclusion: Despite the advances, a considerable percentage of patients wait longer than expected for diagnosis and initiation of treatment, impacting their survival rates.