Epidemiological profile of the oncological patient in a dentistry service

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: With the increasing incidence of malignant neoplasms in the country, there is a persistent purpose of knowing sociocultural profile of cancer patient. PURPOSE: To characterize population attended in a dentistry service of the High Complexity Unit in Oncology Nsa. Sra. De Fátima (Salvador-BA), in the year of 2017. METHODOLOGY: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. Data on sex, age, schooling, occupation, associated risk factors (alcohol and/or tobacco use), primary tumor site and type of treatment were collected from 61 medical records. RESULTS: There was majority of men (65.6%), between 60 and 69 years (34.4%) and schooling similar to complete/incomplete elementary education (57.3%). Association between alcohol and tobacco use represented 42.6% of the sample. The most frequent neoplasms were larynx, laryngopharynx and glottis (27.9%), followed by breast (18%). CONCLUSION: The head and neck radiotherapy’s patients group was composed mainly of males, advanced age, low educational level, smokers and alcoholics lately diagnosed. On the other hand, women between 40 and 49 years suffering from breast cancer mainly composed the group undergoing chemotherapy. These data indicate needing for cancer prevention and combat strategies directed to the described profile.