Fatores associados ao carcinoma espinocelular na população do Leste de Minas Gerais

Abstract

Oral and oropharynx cancer is characterized by affecting individuals with low educational level and unfavorable sociodemographic aspects, who are heavy smokers and are diagnosed at high clinical stages. Objective: To evaluate the factors related to high stage in cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma in oral and oropharynx region of patients diagnosed at a cancer treatment center in the city of Governador Valadares, MG, between 2009 and 2015. Method: It’s an epidemiological, retrospective and exploratory study in which medical patients’ records diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma were analyzed. The variables considered were sociodemographic, lifestyle and disease characteristics. This study was approved by the ethics committee of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (opinion # 1.300.203). Results: A total of 365 patient records were evaluated, which 289 (79.83%) were male and 73 (20.17%) were female. Age at diagnosis ranged from 16 to 101 years, with a mean of 61.13. Regarding education, 157 (43.37%) studied until elementary school, 103 (28.45%) were illiterate and 102 (28.18%) studied until high school. Regarding housing, 305 (84%) came from urban areas. A significant association between high stage grouping and low educational level was observed, as well as to stage grouping, symptomatology, tobacco and alcohol intake. Conclusion: Patients with low education level are more likely to develop the disease, and are diagnosed at advanced stage.