Surgical Treatment of the Five Most Common Types of Cancer in Brazil: 7 Years Analysis Overview.

BACKGROUND

Surgery is the main treatment for the majority of solid cancers. Studies investigating surgical interventions are a critical asset in improving patient health outcomes. We aim to analyze the temporal and spatial distribution of the surgical treatment of Brazil's 5 most common types of cancer.

METHODS

The selected cancers were stomach, colorectal and rectosigmoid junction, bronchial and lung, breast, and prostatic. Surgical data were collected from the DATASUS database from 2013 to 2019. Statistical analyses included linear regression tests with a significance level of .05.

RESULTS

From 2013 to 2019, 19.72% of the diagnoses of all cancers were treated surgically. Only breast cancer didn't have a significant linear increase in surgeries (P = .702). Prostatic cancer had the highest annual increase rate and breast the lowest. Analyzing the Brazilian regions, the Southeast had the highest incidence of oncological surgeries, and the Midwest had the lowest.

DISCUSSION: Brazil's surgical oncology scenario is progressing positively through the analyzed period. The analysis of the 5 most common types of cancer in Brazil and their progression over the years provides an idea of the cancer surgery capacity in Brazil. There were disparities between the Brazilian regions in all types of cancer. Our study is the first step to better comprehending cancer care in Brazil and the access issues that some areas have. With that, it will be possible to provide better care to cancer patients needing surgical treatment.