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. 2013 Sep 30;44(3):155-64.
eCollection 2013 Jul.

Descriptive epidemiology of childhood cancer in Cali: Colombia 1977-2011

Luis Eduardo Bravo  1 , Luz Stella García  2 , Paola Collazos  2 , Paula Aristizabal  2 , Oscar Ramirez  3
Affiliations

Descriptive epidemiology of childhood cancer in Cali: Colombia 1977-2011

Luis Eduardo Bravo et al. Colomb Med (Cali). .

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Aim: The objective of the present report is to describe the occurrence and survival patterns of childhood cancer over the last 20 years in Cali.

Methods: Information was obtained from the Cancer Population Registry in Cali and the Municipal Department of Health . Childhood cancer international classification was used. The vital status was obtained from MDH death certificate and hospital databases. Additionally, clinical records were revised and, in some cases, telephone contact was carried out. Follow-up was done until 31/12/2011. Incident and mortality rates were estimated and adjusted for age. Life-tables were made to estimate overall survival.

Results: Between the years of 1977-2011, there were 2311 cases identified in children under 15 years of age. The IR and MR for Cali were found to be 141.2 and 55.6 per million of people per year. Leukemias, lymphomas, CNS tumors and soft tissue sarcomas showed IR of 60.1, 20.5, 25.7 and 9.4, respectively. 5-years OS was 48%, and showed an improvement from 24.9%±4.3 to 51.8%±4.6, compared 1992-96 vs 2002-06 periods.

Conclusion: The IR found is comparable with those described in affluent countries. Taking into account that pediatric cancer is curable for about 75-80% of the cases, it presents an enormous challenge to the Colombian health system: to improve current clinical results.

Resumen: El cáncer infantil es poco frecuente pero representa la segunda causa de muerte en >1 año de edad en Colombia. Cada año >160.000 niños son diagnosticados con cáncer en el mundo y alrededor de 90.000 mueren por esta enfermedad.

Objetivo: Describir los patrones de ocurrencia y supervivencia por cáncer infantil en los últimos 40 años en Cali, Colombia.

Métodos: La información fue obtenida del Registro Poblacional de Cáncer de Cali y de la Secretaría de Salud Pública Municipal de Cali (SSPM). Se utilizó la clasificación internacional de cáncer infantil versión-3. El estado vital se obtuvo de datos de mortalidad de la SSPM y de las bases de datos de los egresos hospitalarios. Adicionalmente se revisaron las historias clínicas y en algunos casos se realizó contacto telefónico. El seguimiento se hizo hasta el 31/12/2011. Se estimaron las tasas de incidencia (TI), mortalidad (TM), se ajustaron por edad y se realizó un análisis de período para la sobrevida global (SG).

Resultados: Se identificaron 2311 casos en <15 años entre 1977-2011. Las TI y TM para Cali fueron de 141.2 y 55.6 por millón de personas-año. Leucemias, linfomas, tumores del SNC y sarcomas de tejidos blandos mostraron TI de 60.1, 20.5, 25.7 y 9.4 por millón de personas-año, respectivamente. La SG a 5 años fue 48%, que al discriminar por quinquenio mostró una mejoría de 24.9%±4.3 al 51.8%±4.6, al comparar los periodos 1992-96 vs 2002-2006.

Conclusión: La TI encontrada es comparable con las descritas en EEUU y Europa, sin embargo, la supervivencia es menor. Dado que se ha demostrado que el cáncer infantil es curable en alrededor del 75-80% de los casos, se plantea un gran reto para el sistema de salud Colombiano, mejorar los resultados actuales.

Keywords: Child; epidemiology; incidence; leukemia; lymphoma; mortality; neoplams; survival.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest:The authors declare that there is no real or potential conflict of interest regarding the possible publication of this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Cali, Colombia. Observed Survival estimates at 1, 3 and 5 years for Childhood Cancer trough 1992-2011 with follow-up to June, 2012
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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