Malignant Neoplasms of The Head And Neck: Aspects Associated With Mortality

Abstract

The aim of this research was to describe some aspects of mortality from head and neck cancer patients treated at the University Hospital in the city of Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted, describing the characteristics of the deaths from cancer of the head and neck, between 2010 and 2014, using secondary data from the Ministry of Health of Brazil. In the period of data collection, there were 370 deaths caused by head and neck cancer, mainly located in the mouth and tongue area. The highest incidence was male (69.5 %), over 50 years old (85.4%), with no education (27.3%), living in the capital of Alagoas (41.6%), principal place of death the hospital (56.2%). Given these data, it is clear that health services should be prepared for early diagnosis of the disease to mitigate damage and reduce mortality rates. One approach to diagnosis in the initial phase of the disease should be taken for health services in order to decrease the damage and improves the prognosis of the patient, thus avoiding premature mortality.