Análise epidemiológica das Internações por Neoplasia Maligna do Esôfago no Brasil, entre 2019 e 2023

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Esophageal malignancy, one of the most aggressive and difficult to treat types of cancer, is responsible for high mortality rates globally, being the eighth most common cause of cancer and the sixth leading cause of cancer deaths. This study analyzes hospitalizations for malignant neoplasia of the esophagus in Brazil, exploring regional and temporal variations to provide support for the formulation of more effective public health policies. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to quantify and analyze the rates of hospitalizations for malignant neoplasia of the esophagus in Brazil. METHODOLOGY: The retrospective study with a quantitative approach used data from the SUS Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS), provided by the SUS Information Technology Department (TABNET/DATASUS). The analysis covered hospitalizations for malignant neoplasia of the esophagus in Brazil from January 2019 to December 2023, using descriptive statistics and tabulation in Microsoft Excel 2016 and Microsoft Word 10 spreadsheets. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The results of this study reveal a total of 88,176 hospitalizations due to malignant neoplasia of the esophagus in Brazil between 2019 and 2023, with the highest concentration in the Southeast Region (39,654 cases), followed by the South (24,677) and Northeast (15,718) regions. A slight drop in hospitalizations was observed during 2020 and 2021, possibly related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Regional variation reflects differences in healthcare infrastructure and access to diagnosis, suggesting the need for targeted public policies to reduce these disparities. CONCLUSION: Therefore, the analysis of hospitalizations for malignant neoplasia of the esophagus in Brazil between 2019 and 2023 reveals notable regional disparities and the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in reducing hospitalizations and worsening patients' conditions. It is crucial to implement public policies that address these inequalities and ensure equitable access to early diagnosis and treatment, thereby improving health outcomes for patients with this serious condition.