Epidemiological study of penile cancer in Pernambuco: experience of two reference centers

Abstract

ARTICLE INFO ______________________________________________________________ ______________________Objectives: To investigate and analyze the epidemiological profile of penile cancer in the state of Pernambuco and compare this information with other studies related to the issue. Material and Methods:We conducted a retrospective, observational and descriptive study of all patients with penile cancer in two reference centers in Pernambuco -Brazil, from 2007 to 2012. The variables studied were: age, region from the state, socio--economic situation, previous postectomy, smoking, time from the beginning of injury to diagnosis, staging of the primary lesion, tumor differentiation, treatment performed and death due to cancer. Results:The total number of patients was 88. The highest prevalence was seen in those aged between 66 and 75 years. About the socio-economic situation, 67% worked informally and 64.8% received up to two minimum wages. Of all patients, 57% were married and 50% illiterate. The Metropolitan Region of Recife was the one with the highest number of cases, 41%. Tobacco smoking was reported in 48.9% of cases and prior postectomy in 3.4%. Most often it was observed an average period of six months from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis. And when the lesion was diagnosed, it usually had 2 to 5 cm (64.7%), stage T2 in 50% and well differentiated in 79.6%. Partial penectomy was performed in 76.1% and total in 17%. Death was observed in 27.3%. Conclusion:The clinical profile and epidemiological characteristics found in this study are similar to other national and international studies related to the issue, i.e., typical of underdeveloped or developing countries.

Updates on the epidemiology and risk factors for penile cancer

“…Brazil has the highest incidence with 2.8–6.8 per 100,000, and penile cancer is the fourth most common tumor in men ( 7 , 8 ). Within the country, a geographical and socioeconomic distribution is evident.…”

Penile carcinoma and HPV infection (Review)

“…For example, penile cancer accounts for <1% of all malignancies in men in the United States, with ~2,100 new cases and ~400 deaths annually (1). On the other hand, Brazil has the highest incidence with 2.8-6.8 per 100,000 men, with penile carcinoma being the fourth most common tumor in men (2,3).…”

Análise Espacial E Tendência Da Mortalidade Por Câncer De Pênis Em Sergipe, 2000 a 2015

“…Foi observada maior mortalidade pela doença a partir da sexta década de vida. Achados similares aos encontrados em estudos nacionais, realizados de 2006 a 2007 (5) e em 2013 (21) , e estudos de âmbito internacional, realizados no Chile, intervalo de 1996 a 2006 (6) , e na Suécia, de 2000 a 2012 (22) . Nessa faixa etária, a coincidência entre o surgimento da malignidade e a evolução ao óbito deve-se à agressividade e rápida evolução do tumor (6) .…”

“…A maioria dos óbitos ocorreu em homens casados, condizendo com realidade observada no período de 2007 a 2012, em dois centros de referência no estado de Pernambuco (21) , e em estudo retrospectivo realizado no estado do Maranhão com homens diagnosticados com câncer de pênis durante o intervalo de 2004 a 2014 (24) . Subentendese que exista uma possível influência exercida pelo cônjuge para a busca de tratamento, impactando no diagnóstico da doença e, assim, no número de novos casos e de mortes (25) .…”

“…Houve predominância dos óbitos em homens que residiam fora da região metropolitana do estado, em discordância de estudos realizados no estado de Pernambuco, que observaram maior acometimento de homens residentes em região metropolitana (16,21) . A centralização dos serviços de alta complexidade em oncologia na região metropolitana de Aracaju, capital de Sergipe (27) , pode ter contribuído para o aumento do número de mortes em outras regiões do estado.…”