Childhood cancer incidence in Brazil

Abstract

Despite growing interest in the epidemiology of childhood cancers, but few studies have been done on pediatric tumors in Brazil. To encourage etiological studies, the current study presents data on the incidence of the main childhood cancers from 17 of 22 Brazilian population-based cancer registries (PBCR) for which such information is available. An information system called SisBasepop, developed by the National Cancer Institute (INCA), was used to collect and analyze data from the registries. Leukemia was the most frequent childhood cancer, comprising 15%- 45% of all malignancies. Lymphoma was the second most common malignancy in children (5%- 25%), followed by central nervous system tumors (5%-22%). We conclude that SisBasepop is a viable system to provide population-based incidence data obtained through PBCR.