Distribution of lymphoid leukemia diagnoses in children and adolescents in Brazilian regions in recent years

Keywords

acute lymphoblastic leukemia - childhood cancer - epidemiology - regional distribution - Brazil

Introduction: The acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of childhood cancer, representing about 80% of the leukemia cases in children, with an incidence five times higher than acute myeloid leukemia (AML). ALL is a multifactorial hematologic disease that initiates in white blood cells developed from the lymphoid progenitor cells, which suffer genetic alterations, acquiring the capacity of uncontrolled proliferation and infiltration. ALL incidence varies between regions of Brazil, possibly due to socioeconomic factors. Therefore, risk stratification based on clinical factors and the identification of recurrent genetic alterations are important to help prognosis and treatment orientation.

Objectives: Analyze the regional incidence of lymphoid leukemia in children and teenagers, aged 0 to 19, from 2019 to 2023, highlighting the variations in accordance with the different federative regions of Brazil.

Methods: Data from the Hospital Information System of the SUS and the Mortality Information System of DataSUS and Tabnet were used. The data were analyzed using age criteria (0 to 19 years) and region to generate the tables used as a base.

Results: Between 2019 and 2023, 6,982 cases of lymphoid leukemia (LL) were recorded in children and adolescents (0-19 years) in Brazil. In 2019, there were 1,335 cases, followed by 1,384 in 2020 (+3.67%), 1,574 in 2021 (+13.73%), 1,360 in 2022 (-13.60%) and 1,329 in 2023 (-2.28%). The Southeast was the most affected region with 2,072 cases, followed by the Northeast with 1,753, the North with 1,515, the South with 1,057 and the Central-West with 585. The North and Midwest regions recorded the highest proportional increase in LL diagnoses over the years. In the Southeast and South, the incidence of LL lagged behind other neoplasms.

Conclusion: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a major challenge in Brazil, with a significant number of diagnoses, especially in the Southeast, being the most common form of cancer among children and adolescents. Diagnosing the disease in the country involves a broad process, from identifying the initial symptoms to confirmation by specialized tests. Although access to centers of excellence and specialized resources is expanding, the availability and quality of care still vary significantly across regions, affecting treatment equity. Therefore, health policies and awareness programs are essential to improve access to the healthcare system and the quality of diagnosis, ensuring ade

Corresponding author: Larissa Maria Moraes Rodrigues De Souza (e-mail: [e-mail]).

 

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No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).

Publication History

Article published online:
06 May 2025