Childhood cancer: incidence and spatial patterns in the city of Campinas, Brazil, 1996-2005

Abstract

This article analyzes cancer incidence and spatial patterns in children and adolescents (0-19 years of age) residing in the city of Campinas in Southeastern Brazil who were diagnosed from 1996-2005. Cancers were classified according to the Third International Classification of Childhood Cancer (ICCC-3) Groups. The four most common groups were studied: leukemias, lymphomas, and central nervous system and soft tissue neoplasms. Age-standardized incidence rates were calculated using the world standard population. A spatial Bayesian hierarchical regression model (controlling for data heterogeneity and spatial autocorrelation) was fitted, assuming that the number of cancer cases follows a Poisson distribution. A total of 180 cases were diagnosed during the study period. Overall, the crude incidence rate was 54.2 per million and the age-standardized incidence rate was 56.5 per million. Although some regions present higher incidence rates, considering the spatial heterogeneity and the spatial autocorrelation, no statistically significant differences in the relative risks were observed.

Addressing childhood cancer: actions taken in the Dominican Republic

“…Children with ocular symptoms such as white spots in the eye, strabismus (double vision), enlarged eyeball, blindness, or loss of vision should be immediately referred to a pediatrician or oncologist as such symptoms occur in retinoblastoma ( 7 ). Neurological signs and symptoms including changes in behavior, loss of balance, alteration of gait, headaches, and vomiting, predominantly in the morning and projectile, can occur in children with brain masses (e.g., gliomas or medulloblastoma) ( 2 ).…”

“…It is predicted that each year 14 out of 100 000 children will be diagnosed with malignant diseases and about 400 000 children and adolescents between 0 and 19 years around the world will have cancer. Although cancer is rare in children ( 2 ), it is the second most common cause of death in children older than 1 year in high-income countries ( 3 ). Therefore, the health system and society in general should be alert to this situation because early detection of the disease can result in improved survival rates – higher than 70% in developing countries – through the administration of treatments adapted to local realities and a trans-disciplinary approach ( 3 ).…”

“…Therefore, the health system and society in general should be alert to this situation because early detection of the disease can result in improved survival rates – higher than 70% in developing countries – through the administration of treatments adapted to local realities and a trans-disciplinary approach ( 3 ). Delayed referral of a cancer patient and late initiation of treatment can mean the difference between life and death ( 2 , 4 ).…”

Epidemiology of childhood acute leukemias in marginalized populations of the central-south region of Mexico: results from a population-based registry

“…Acute leukemias (AL) are the main types of cancer in children worldwide. In Latin American countries (LAC) high incidence and mortality rates have been reported ( 1 – 5 ). Moreover, for some LAC an increase in leukemia mortality has been predicted by 2030 ( 6 ).…”

Changes in nutritional status in adolescents surviving leukemia and lymphoma

“…Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrollable growth and dissemination of abnormal cells [1]. Leukemias are the most frequent neoplasms in childhood, and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is the most prevalent [2]. Lymphomas are neoplasms that originate in the immune system cells and may infiltrate the bone marrow and other tissues.…”