Prevalence of malignant tumors of the head and neck region in infant and juvenile patients [Prevalência de tumores malignos infanto-juvenil de região de cabeça e pescoço]

Abstract

Objective: To verify the prevalence of malignant tumors of the head and neck region in infant and juvenile patients registered at the Cancer Hospital of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil. Method: This study was a retrospective and cross-sectional investigation in which 126 patient records were reviewed between 1995 and 2000. Information on the variables gender, age group, primary anatomic localization and histological type was recorded and transcribed to a specific chart. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 13.0. Results: 23 cases (18.3%) were malignant tumors affecting the head and neck region of children and adolescents. The age range was between 2 and 17 years (mean age 13 years), and most patients were aged 13 to 18 years (65.2%). There was a predominance of male patients (65.2%), with a male-to- female ratio of 1.8:1. The nasopharynx was the most affected anatomic region (21.7%), followed by the parotid gland and oral cavity (17.4%). The most frequent histological types were those derived from the epithelial lineage (48%), among which the undifferentiated carcinoma (13%). Among the tumors derived from the mesenchymal tissue, the most frequent were rhabdomyosarcoma (30%) and lymphoma (17%). Conclusion: Research on infant and juvenile cancer in Brazil address the population basis and the mortality in a general manner. Data on the prevalence of malignant tumors of the head and neck region in children and adolescents are still scarce. Further studies on this area should be encouraged because they are important in the elaboration and planning of national or regional public policies and health programs.