Descriptive epidemiology of rare tumors in the State of São Paulo

Abstract

Worldwide, the analysis of cancer mortality rates has shown a high proportion of certain types of cancer that isolated are not so common, but reaching an expressive participation in the scenario of cancer morbidity and mortality when considered as a group; these are the so-called rare cancers. Although rare tumors account for approximately 20% of all cancers, they are associated with increased mortality compared to the more common tumors. Such difference can be attributed to factors such as delay and low diagnostic precision, and also to limited access to reference centers. In Brazil, to date, research on rare tumors is scarce and, consequently, public policies, specific protocols for these tumors are also scarce, increasing the risk that patients will not receive the best possible care. This study aims to characterize patients with rare tumors diagnosed and/or treated in the network of SUS Oncology Care in the state of São Paulo and registered in the Hospital-based Cancer Registry (RHC) in the state of São Paulo, in relation to time, place and person, and also to estimate five-year overall survival rates. (AU)