Epidemiological analysis of regional disparities in the incidence of sarcomas in Brazil

Keywords

sarcoma - analytical epidemiology - regional disparities

Introduction: Sarcomas are malignant and rare tumors originating from mesenchymal cells with an undefined and multifactorial cause. The Brazilian Society of Oncological Surgery identifies risk factors associated with a higher incidence of sarcomas, including immunosuppressive conditions (such as HIV infection or patients with a history of transplantation), genetic conditions (such as neurofibromatosis), and exposure to arsenic.

Objective: To identify regional disparities in the incidence of sarcomas from January 2019 to July 2024.

Methods: This is an epidemiological, retrospective, cross-sectional, and quantitative study conducted through data collection using the SINAN/DATASUS platform, analyzing the incidence of sarcomas by region between 2019 and 2024.

Results: During the specified period, 60,770 new cases of sarcomas were identified in Brazil. The Northeast region had the highest incidence (25,604), followed by the Southeast (18,556) and South (11,595) regions, while the North region had the lowest incidence (1,825), preceded by the Central-West region (3,190). The age groups with the highest incidence in the Northeast and Southeast regions are the same: 70 to 74 years and 80 or older; however, it is notable that the Southeast region has a higher incidence in the 0 to 19 age group (1,066) compared to the Northeast (804) and other regions.

Conclusion: The incidence of sarcomas in Brazil, with the exception of the Northeast region, aligns with its population distribution. However, the results indicate a significant disparity in the incidence of sarcomas in the Northeast compared to other regions, which deviates from the established trend. This highlights the importance of analyzing and identifying health inequities and tailoring public health policies to regional needs and specificities.

Corresponding author: Marilya Oliveira Ellery (e-mail: [e-mail]).