Classification of Malignant Tumours - analysis and suggestions based on APAC data

Abstract

Data from 286,667 Brazilian Health System (SUS) orders to chemotherapy (QT) and radiotherapy (RT) procedures correspondent to 15,196 cases of female breast cancer treated at the State of Rio de Janeiro, from 1999 to 2003, showed there is a mistake of staging this tumor. The concept of not changing the tumoral stage is not being observed, and the change on staging usually follows a procedure change. Unexpectedly, this mistake was more frequent in comprehensive cancer centers (CACON) than in isolated chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy services. Under the classification of malignant tumor rules, the specialized procedure authorizations (APAC) were analysed. Results point to the revision of the educational programs to medical students, cancer surgeons, clinical oncologists and SUS managers. Thus, it will be possible getting on data to evaluate and compare therapeutic results by tumor staging.