Incidencia y características del cáncer infantil, en el Instituto del Cáncer SOLCA de la Ciudad de Cuenca en el período 2005-2010

Abstract

Background: Cancer is the second most common cause of infant mortality in children aged between 1 and 14 years. It has been shown that in recent decades the incidence rates and mortality rates have been increased so that is a major public health problem and has caused great social and economic impact for the country.

Objective: To determine the frequency and clinical and epidemiological characteristics of childhood cancer in the Cancer Institute SOLCA in the period 2005-2010.

Methodology: Descriptive study is intended to determine the frequency and clinical and epidemiological characteristics of childhood cancer in the Cancer Institution SOLCA located in the city of Cuenca in 2005-2010.

Results: The average age stood at 4.75 years with a standard deviation of 3.35 years, the male sex was the most prevalent with 60.2%, 91.2% of the cases the patients were of mixed ethnicity, and came from Azuay in 48.5%, 16.4% of the population had a family history of cancer. The type of cancer was most prevalent acute lymphocytic leukemia with 35.1% of the population, the presence of mass was the most prevalent sign was presented in 45% of cases and the main symptom was pain in 29.8% of cases. The mortality rate stood at 23.4%.

Conclusions: Age and sex present statistically significant differences by type of cancer, family history of cancer and ethnicity did not significantly affect the population.