Prevalence of Buccal Cancer in the Paraiban Mesoregions

Abstract

SUMMARY Objective: To estimate the prevalence of buccal cancer in the state of Paraíba, considering its geographical distribution by mesoregion. Material and Methods: 1,671 promptuaries of patients attending the ‘Serviço de Cabeça e Pescoço’ at the Hospital Napoleão Laureano, João Pessoa (HNL/JP) from 1989 to 1999, were analyzed. Results: 1,237 cases were of buccal cancer, representing 74% of total malignant neoplasias of head and neck, which were diagnosed during that period. Among the cases of buccal cancer registered, 96.6% were epidermoidal carcinoma, 61.8% in males, 72.4% in white people, and 52.3% at ages range from 61 to 80 years. They were anatomically more frequent in the tongue and lower lip. The highest prevalence of buccal cancer was observed in patients from the mesoregions of Mata (39 cases/100,000 inhabitants) and Sertão (37 cases/100,000 inhabitants). Conclusions: the results indicate that during the study period, most of head and neck cancers registered in the HNL/JP were buccal cancer, which presented high prevalence and significant differences connected with their geographical distribution. It is believed that the risk factors associated to carcinogenesis of buccal cancer in the differing Paraiban mesoregions, have acted as determiners of the observed differences more markedly than the demographic density and number of inhabitants relationship of each region. Studies on risk factors of buccal cancer in the Paraiban mesoregions are suggested here to be carried out. DESCRIPTORS Malignant neoplasia. Buccal lesions. Epidermoidal carcinoma.