ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the probability of survival and prognostic factors for tobacco-related neoplasms in a population-based cohort.

METHODS

This is a cohort with data from the Population-Based Cancer Registry of Florianópolis, southern Brazil, from 2008 to 2012. The Stata 16.0 software was used to estimate the probabilities of survival in five years after diagnosis, by the Kaplan Meier method, and the risk of death, by the Cox regression.

RESULTS

A total of 2,829 cancer records related to smoking were included, more prevalent among males, over 70 years of age, nine years or more of schooling, white, with a partner and metastatic diagnosis. The most frequent groupings were colon and rectum (28.7%), trachea, bronchi and lungs (18.6%) and stomach (11.8%). At follow-up, 1,450 died. Pancreatic cancer had the worst probability of survival (14.3%), followed by liver cancer (19.4%).

CONCLUSION

Risk factors for death and survival rates differ across the 13 types of tobacco-related cancers. Early diagnosis and primary prevention are strategies that must be improved to improve survival and decrease the burden related to these types of cancer.

Tobacco Use Disorder; Neoplasms, epidemiology; Survival Analysis; Risk Factors; Mortality; Proportional Hazards Models

INTRODUCTION

Smoking is characterized as an important public health problem and is considered the second most prevalent modifiable risk factor for chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and for global mortality. In Brazil, currently, there are more than 7 million active smokers and 1.2 million passive smokers. Furthermore, 428 people die daily as a result of nicotine dependence, 56.9 billion reais are spent annually on medical expenses and lost productivity, and 156,216 annual deaths could be avoided by reducing tobacco use¹1. World Health Organization. WHO report on the tobacco epidemic 2019: offer help to quit tobacco use. Geneva (CH): WHO; 2019 [cited 2021 May 10]. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241516204
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/... .

The incidence of tobacco-related cancer has increased significantly in recent years, mainly tumors in the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, liver, pancreas, larynx, lung, bronchi, trachea, kidneys, urinary bladder, and uterine colon, in addition to acute myeloid leukemia (AML)²2. Miranda-Filho A, Piñeros M, Bray F. The descriptive epidemiology of lung cancer and tobacco control: a global overview 2018. Salud Publica Mex. 2019;61(3):219-29. https://doi.org/10.21149/10140
https://doi.org/10.21149/10140... . In 2015, cancer was one of the main causes of years of life lost due to disability attributable to smoking and was the cause of 20% of all deaths from the disease³3. GBD Tobacco Collaborators. Smoking prevalence and attributable disease burden in 195 countries and territories, 1990-2015: a systematic analysis from the global burden of disease study 2015. Lancet. 2017;389(10082):1885906. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30819-X
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30... .

Worldwide, it is estimated that 18 million people were diagnosed with cancer and 9.6 million died in 2018, most of them male and in low- and middle-income countries⁴4. Instituto Nacional do Câncer. Estimativa 2020: inciência de câncer no Brasil. Rio de Janeiro: INCA; 2019 [cited 2021 May 10]. Available from: https://www.inca.gov.br/publicacoes/livros/estimativa-2020-incidencia-de-cancer-no-brasil
https://www.inca.gov.br/publicacoes/livr... . In Brazil, the incidence is over 500,000 new cases, mortality exceeded 100,000 deaths in the same period and the expected survival rate for all cancers is approximately 50% in five years⁴4. Instituto Nacional do Câncer. Estimativa 2020: inciência de câncer no Brasil. Rio de Janeiro: INCA; 2019 [cited 2021 May 10]. Available from: https://www.inca.gov.br/publicacoes/livros/estimativa-2020-incidencia-de-cancer-no-brasil
https://www.inca.gov.br/publicacoes/livr... ,⁵5. Romero Y, Trapani D, Johnson S, Tittenbrun Z, Given L, Hohman K, et al. National cancer control plans: a global analysis. Lancet Oncol. 2018;19(10):e546-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(18)30681-8
https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(18)30... .

Survival is defined as the period for which a patient remains alive after diagnosis of the disease or treatment initiation. Although it is an important indicator to measure the magnitude of smoking and cancer in the population, survival after the diagnosis of tumors caused by tobacco is still unknown in Brazil. Furthermore, the analysis of survival makes it possible to evaluate the actions in the oncology area implemented in the country in recent years, as well as their prognostic factors. Furthermore, the study of survival allows to know the behavior of the disease, enabling an approach that provides better quality of life to affected individuals⁶6. Ferreira JC, Patino CM. O que é análise de sobrevida e quando devo utilizá-la? J Bras Pneumol. 2016;42(1):77. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1806-37562016000000013
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1806-3756201600... .

There are few reports in the scientific literature about the survival of people with tobacco-related cancer, although it is clear that greater cigarette consumption is associated with worse disease progression²2. Miranda-Filho A, Piñeros M, Bray F. The descriptive epidemiology of lung cancer and tobacco control: a global overview 2018. Salud Publica Mex. 2019;61(3):219-29. https://doi.org/10.21149/10140
https://doi.org/10.21149/10140... .

Thus, the aim of this study was to estimate the probability of survival and prognostic factors for smoking-related neoplasms in a population-based cohort.

METHODS

This is a population-based cohort with data from the Municipal Cancer Registry of Florianópolis, a municipality located in the southern region of the country. It is the capital of the state of Santa Catarina, has approximately 500 thousand residents, and is characterized by its very high Human Development Index (HDI): 0.815, mainly ascribed to longevity and income⁷7. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Panorama: Santa Catarina. Rio de Janeiro: IBGE; 2010.. The municipality has high coverage and consolidated experience in primary care, reflecting good results in tracking and early detection of the health conditions of its population. In addition, care for oncology patients, in medium and high complexity, is covered by more than six hospital centers, in addition to associations dedicated to raising awareness and seeking the rights of people with cancer.

The participants is composed of individuals registered in the Population-Based Cancer Registry (RCBP) of Florianópolis, from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2012, with a diagnosis of smoking-related cancer. The cancers included were those with the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O)⁸8. Percy C, Van Holten V, Muir C, editores. CID-O – Classificação Internacional de Doenças para Oncologia. 2. ed. São Paulo: Editora da Universidade de São Paulo; Fundação Oncocentro de São Paulo; 2005.code considered smoking-related⁹9. IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Personal habits and indoor combustions. Lyon (FR): International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2012 [cited 2021 May 10]. (IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans; nº. 100E). Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK304391/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK30... . These include cancers of the lips and oral cavity (C00-C08); nasopharynx (C11); other pharynxes (C09-C10, C12-C14); esophagus (C15); stomach (C16); colon and rectum (C18-C21); liver (C22); pancreas (C25); larynx (C32); trachea, bronchi and lungs (C33-C34); kidney (C64-C66); bladder (C67) and acute myeloid leukemia (C92.0). Cases that had the means of diagnosis registered as not available or in which the diagnosis was exclusively performed by the death verification service were excluded. The cases of cervical and ovarian cancer, despite being tobacco-related, were not included in the analyses, even with tobacco as a causal factor. Cervical mucus from smokers is more mutagenic and suggests an association with DNA damage in women with cervical cancer. In ovarian cancer, the data suggest that it is associated only with the mucinous type, in which smoking may contribute to a faster progression from the benign to the malignant form. These last two were not added to the analyses because they refer exclusively to females and Brazil has specific public policies for women’s health, especially with a strategic action to track cervical cancer.

To make it possible to follow up on cases registered in the RCBP and estimate survival, information regarding deaths, such as date and underlying cause, is needed. For this, the Brazilian Mortality Information System (SIM) of the Ministry of Health was used, with information referring to the municipality of Florianópolis in the period from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2017. The creation of the database was based on the technique of probabilistic relationship of records, which allows the integration of databases of different nature, contributing to the improvement of the quality of recorded data¹²12. Coutinho ESF, Coeli CM. Acurácia da metodologia de relacionamento probabilístico de registros para identificação de óbitos em estudos de sobrevida. Cad Saude Publica. 2006;22(10):2249-52. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2006001000031
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X200600... . For this, the OpenRecLink 3.1 software was used. For data pairing, the following SIM variables were used: death certificate number, name, date of birth, mother’s name, date of death, underlying cause of death; and from the RCBP bank: registration number, name, date of birth, mother’s name. The relationship parameters followed the software instructions. After linking the databases, a single database was created containing all the information relevant to the study, allowing data analysis.

Survival time was calculated as the time, in months, between the date of diagnosis and the date of death or end of follow-up. The maximum follow-up time was 60 months. All cases not found in the SIM were considered alive at the end of follow-up and censored.

The independent variables were gender (female, male), age group (with cutoff points for each type of cancer), race/color (white, black/brown/indigenous/yellow, no information), schooling (9 years or more, 8 years or less, no information), marital status (with partner, no partner, no information), extension of cancer (localized, metastasis, no information) and year of diagnosis (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012).

Initially, a descriptive analysis was performed with absolute and relative frequency of independent variables. Afterwards, a bivariate analysis was performed between the independent variables and the status variable (censorship/death) to estimate the incidence of deaths in each category and Pearson’s chi-square test was used to test the association between the variables. These analyses were performed for all cases and for each type of cancer.

For each type of cancer, the probability of survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. We used the log-rank test to compare survival curves stratified by independent variables. The effect of the independent variables was estimated by the semiparametric model of proportional hazards of crude and adjusted Cox. The adjusted analysis included variables with p-value < 0.20. For data analysis and construction of survival graphs, we used the Stata statistical program (Stata Corp, v.16.0. Stata Statistical Software. College Station: StataCorp LP, 2021).

This research was based on ethical principles, based on Resolution No. 466, of December 12, 2012, of the National Health Council, and approved under CAAE: 53518116.1.0000.0121.

This work is the result of the project financed by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e Inovação of the State of Santa Catarina, in the Programa de Pesquisa para o SUS: Gestão Compartilhada em Saúde (PPSUS – Research Program for the SUS: Shared Management in Health) (Grant No. 2016RT2206).

RESULTS

General description

In the period from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2012, 3,012 cases of tobacco-related cancer were registered by the RCBP in the municipality of Florianópolis. Of these, 189 were excluded because they were diagnosed by death verification service or because the diagnostic method was not available. Thus, the population of this study is composed of 2,829 records (Table 1).

The cases included were mostly male (61.0%), over 70 years of age (34.0%), with 9 years of schooling or more (46.3%), of white race/color (87, 4%), with a partner (56.5%) and with a metastatic diagnosis (39.0%). During follow-up, 51.3% of cases died within five years. Except for the variable year of diagnosis, the others (gender, age group, schooling, race, marital status, extension of disease) were associated with death (Table 1). The most frequent type was colon and rectum (28.7%), followed by trachea, bronchi and lung (18.6%) and stomach (11.8%) (Table 1).

Lip and oral cavity (C00-C08)

One hundred sixty-five (165) people with lip and oral cavity cancer were registered, or 5.8% of the total cases included. At the end of follow-up, 39.4% of them died and the probability of survival at the end was 60.6% (95%CI: 52.7–67.6) (Table 1 and Figure 1). It was more frequent in males, in people aged 50 to 59 years, with eight years of schooling or less, of the white race. Age range, race and disease extension were associated with survival. The adjusted analysis included the variables age, education, race, marital status and disease extension. Only other colors/races remained as a prognostic factor, with an increase of 2.6 in the risk of death (Table 2).

Other pharynxes (C09-10; C12-14)

There were 72 cases related to other pharynxes, or 2.6% of the total. Of these, 59.7% died by the end of follow-up and the probability of survival was 40.3% (95%CI: 29.0–51.3) (Table 1 and Figure 1). It was more frequent in males, with less education and in those with a partner. No variable was associated with survival and no adjusted analysis was performed (Table 2).

Nasopharynx (C11)

Nasopharyngeal diagnoses accounted for 0.9%, with 24 cases. Of these, 50% died and the probability of survival was 50.0% (95%CI: 29.1–67.8) (Table 1 and Figure 1). There were more records in men, aged 65 years or younger, and with nine years or more of schooling. Only the age range variable had a p-value < 0.20, in which the group aged 66 years or older showed a worse probability of survival (Table 2).

Esophagus (C15)

In the period, there were 104 records of esophageal cancer, or 3.7% of the total, and 67.6% died. The probability of survival was 32.4% (95%CI: 23.7–41.1) (Table 1 and Figure 1). The worst survival was found among males, of other races/colors, without a partner, with a metastatic diagnosis. The adjusted analysis included the variables gender, race, marital status, disease extension, and year of diagnosis. Only other grouped colors/races remained as a worse prognostic factor, with an increase of 2.5 in the risk of death (Table 3).

Stomach (C16)

Stomach cancer was the third most frequent, with 333 cases (11.8% of the total). Of these, 60.1% died, and the probability of survival was 39.9% (95%CI: 34.7–45.2) (Table 1 and Figure 1). The worst odds of survival were associated with being 60 years of age or older and having a metastatic diagnosis. The adjusted analysis included the variables gender, age group and disease extension. The risk of death was independently increased among those aged 60 years or older and those with a metastatic diagnosis or those recorded as having no information on disease extension (Table 3).

Colon and rectum (C18-21)

Colon and rectal cancer was the most frequent, with 813 records (28.7% of the total), of which 35.8% died. The probability of survival at five years was 64.2% (95%CI: 60.8–67.4) (Table 1 and Figure 1). The worst survival rates were among people aged 70 years or older, with nine years or more of schooling, of white race/color, and with a metastatic diagnosis. In the adjusted analysis, being over 60 years of age, eight years or less of schooling, not having a partner and having a metastatic diagnosis independently increased the risk of death (Table 3).

Liver (C22)

Liver cancer had 103 records (3.6% of the total), of which 80.6% died. This cancer was more frequent in men, white people and those with a partner. The 5-year survival probability was 19.4% (95%CI: 12.5–27.6), the second lowest (Table 1 and Figure 1). This was associated with age group and race. In the adjusted analysis, being 70 years of age or older increased the risk of death by 2.19, while being in the category other color/race increased it by four times (Table 3).

Pancreas (C25)

Pancreatic cancer had 112 registered cases (4.0% of the total) and at follow-up, 85.7% died. It had the worst five-year survival probability, with 14.3% (95%CI: 8.6–21.4) (Table 1 and Figure 1). Survival probabilities were low in all categories of variables analyzed. Age group and disease extension were associated with survival. These variables were included in the adjusted analysis, but none independently increased the risk of death (Table 3).

Larynx (C32)

Laryngeal cancer was recorded in 88 people (3.1% of the total). At follow-up, 40.9% died, and the 5-year survival probability was 59.1% (95%CI: 48.1–68.5) (Table 1 and Figure 1). There was a greater number of records in men, aged 50 to 59 years, with nine years or more of schooling and with a partner. No variables were associated with survival (Table 2).

Trachea, bronchi and lungs (C33-C34)

Cancer of the trachea, bronchi and lung was the third most frequent, with 527 cases (18.6% of the total). At follow-up, 77.2% died and the 5-year survival probability was the third worst, 22.8% (95%CI: 19.3–26.4) (Table 1 and Figure 1). The diagnosis was more frequent in men, over 60 years of age, white, with a partner and metastatic extension. The adjusted analysis included the variables gender, age group, schooling and disease extension. The independent risk factors for death were eight years of schooling or less (18% increase) and metastatic staging (2.14 increase) (Table 2).

Kidney (C64-C66)

Kidney cancer had 177 records (6.3% of the total). In five years, 24.3% of the sample died, and the probability of survival in the same period was 75.7% (95%CI: 68.7–81.4) (Table 1 and Figure 1). It was more frequent in men, of white race and with a partner. The worst survival rates were recorded among those aged 70 years or older, of other races/colors, without a partner and with a metastatic diagnosis. In the analysis adjusted for age, education, race, marital status and disease extension, the following were independent risk factors for death: being 70 years of age or older (HR = 3.77; 95%CI: 1.01–14.06) and being white (HR = 3.69; 95%CI: 1.20–11.29) (Table 4).

Bladder (C67)

Bladder cancer had 282 recorded cases (10.0% of the total). In five years, 30.5% died and the probability of survival was 69.5% (95%CI: 63.8–74.5) (Table 1 and Figure 1). It was more frequent in men, aged 70 years or older, with nine years or more of schooling, white, with a partner and a localized diagnosis. The variables associated with survival were age group and disease extension. The adjusted analysis included the variables age, education, race and disease extension. Only being 70 years of age or older was an independent factor for a worse prognosis, with a six-fold increase in the risk of death (Table 4).

Acute myeloid leukemia (C92.0)

AML was recorded in 28 cases and, of these, 60.7% died. At five years, the survival probability was 39.3% (95%CI: 21.7–56.5) (Table 1 and Figure 1). The distribution of cases was similar across sex and age, more frequent in those with nine years of schooling or more and who were white. None of the characteristics were associated with survival.

DISCUSSION

The findings of the present research demonstrate that survival and prognostic factors vary according to each type of tobacco-related cancer in the city of Florianópolis (SC). The highest probability of survival was found in kidney cancer (75.7%), while the lowest in pancreatic (14.3%), liver (19.4%) and trachea, bronchi and lung cancer (22.8% %). The values obtained can be justified by the fact that longevity in Santa Catarina is 3.2 years above the national average, and the state has a triple burden of disease as an epidemiological profile of the elderly population, with a strong predominance of chronic conditions¹³13. Secretaria de Estado da Saúde de Santa Catarina. Plano Estadual de Saúde 2020 - 2023. Florianópolis, SC; 2019.. Brazil is among the countries with the greatest reduction in the prevalence of smoking in the population from 1990 to 2015, due to the adoption of public policies³3. GBD Tobacco Collaborators. Smoking prevalence and attributable disease burden in 195 countries and territories, 1990-2015: a systematic analysis from the global burden of disease study 2015. Lancet. 2017;389(10082):1885906. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30819-X
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30... . It should be noted that there is a higher prevalence of adult smokers aged 18 years and over (14.7%) in the South region, which contributes as a risk factor for the increase of these diseases, and many of the risk factors for death are smoking-related, such as being older and having less schooling.

The most frequent neoplasms found in this study were cancer of the colon and rectum, stomach and trachea, bronchi and lung, which is similar to the pattern found in the South and Southeast regions, placing them among the five most frequent types. Studies that analyze the survival and prognostic factors of these groups of neoplasms are scarce. Since they exhibit different behaviors, each type of cancer will be discussed separately.

Lip and oral cavity cancer

The findings of this study show a survival probability of 57.9% and 65% for men and women, respectively. Another study carried out in Rio Grande do Norte, which only evaluated data on lip cancer, found that the 5-year survival rate was 88.9% for men and 87.3% for women¹⁴14. Freire GCB. Análise de sobrevida dos casos de carcinoma epidermóide de lábio (CEL) do Rio Grande do Norte. Natal, RN: Departamento de Odontologia da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte; 2017. Monografia de Graduação.. People diagnosed with cancers of the lip, mouth and pharynx (ICD-10 C00-C14) had a survival rate of 33.3% at the end of 5-year follow-up in Santa Catarina, and staging at diagnosis was the greatest risk factor for death¹⁵15. Schneider IJC, Flores ME, Nickel DA, Martins LGT, Traebert J. Survival rates of patients with cancer of the lip, mouth and pharynx: a cohort study of 10 years. Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2014;17(3):680-91. https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-4503201400030009
https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-45032014000... . However, cases of lip and oral cavity were classified in the same group. In both studies, most cases were diagnosed in males and at an advanced age, corroborating these results. In the initial stage, cancer of the lip and oral cavity is usually asymptomatic, which leads to late diagnosis and metastasis¹⁴14. Freire GCB. Análise de sobrevida dos casos de carcinoma epidermóide de lábio (CEL) do Rio Grande do Norte. Natal, RN: Departamento de Odontologia da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte; 2017. Monografia de Graduação.,¹⁶16. Amorim MM. Análise do perfil e fatores relacionados a sobrevida de adultos jovens e idosos portadores de câncer oral [dissertação]. Feira de Santana, BA: Departamento de Saúde da Universidade Federal de Feira de Santana; 2018., worsening survival and quality of life.

Oropharyngeal cancer

Research has shown a greater incidence of this type of cancer in males, aged between 50 and 60 years, and low survival rates, which is in line with the findings of this study¹⁷17. Rodrigo JP, López F, Llorente JL, Álvarez-Marcos C, Suárez C. Resultados de la laringectomía total en carcinoma localmente avanzado de laringe en la era de la organopreservación. Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp. 2015;66(3):132-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.otorri.2014.06.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.otorri.2014.06... ,¹⁸18. Moro JS, Maroneze MC, Ardenghi TM, Barin LM, Danesi CC. Oral and oropharyngeal cancer: epidemiology and survival analysis. Einstein (São Paulo). 2018;16(2):eAO4248. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-45082018AO4248
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-45082018AO... .

A study carried out in southern Brazil with the aim of observing survival after cancer of the oropharynx and mouth identified worse survival rates in individuals with oropharyngeal tumors, associating this data with the presence of cervical metastasis and greater tumor dissemination, in addition to location in regions of difficult visualization and diagnosis, which contributes negatively to survival rates¹⁸18. Moro JS, Maroneze MC, Ardenghi TM, Barin LM, Danesi CC. Oral and oropharyngeal cancer: epidemiology and survival analysis. Einstein (São Paulo). 2018;16(2):eAO4248. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-45082018AO4248
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-45082018AO... .

The literature also indicates that alcohol abuse and the presence of advanced stage disease act as main risk factors for worse survival outcomes¹⁷17. Rodrigo JP, López F, Llorente JL, Álvarez-Marcos C, Suárez C. Resultados de la laringectomía total en carcinoma localmente avanzado de laringe en la era de la organopreservación. Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp. 2015;66(3):132-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.otorri.2014.06.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.otorri.2014.06... .

Esophageal cancer

A systematic review carried out in 2015 showed that the 5-year survival for esophageal cancer varies between 10% and 15%, which is considered low. Also, that it is a rare disease before 30 years of age¹⁹19. Oliveira-Borges EC, Silva AF, Graças AM, Melo FFS, Barcelos AA, Myiata S. O câncer de esôfago: uma revisão. Rev Univ Vale Rio Verde. 2015;13(1):773-90. https://doi.org/10.5892/ruvrd.v10i1.2471
https://doi.org/10.5892/ruvrd.v10i1.2471... . In the present study, the highest frequency was in the age group 50-59 years. A survey was also carried out with diagnostic data between 1997 and 2006 in Germany and the United States (USA), in which the 5-year survival was 18% in Germany and 17% in the USA²⁰20. Hiripi E, Jansen L, Gondos A, Emrich K, Holleczek B, Katalinic A, et al. Survival of stomach and esophagus cancer patients in Germany in the early 21st century. Acta Oncol. 2012;51(7):906-14. https://doi.org/10.3109/0284186X.2012.673732
https://doi.org/10.3109/0284186X.2012.67... , lower than that found in this study. The low probability of survival from esophageal cancer is a reflection of late diagnosis, which in most cases is due to the absence of clinical signs in the initial stage²¹21. Huang FL, Yu SJ. Esophageal cancer: risk factors, genetic association, and treatment. Asian J Surg. 2018;41(3):210-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asjsur.2016.10.005
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asjsur.2016.10... , although our results do not present worse prognostic factors.

Stomach cancer

The 5-year survival rate for stomach cancer is around 31%, as found in studies carried out in the United States and Germany, which is consistent with the findings of this study²⁰20. Hiripi E, Jansen L, Gondos A, Emrich K, Holleczek B, Katalinic A, et al. Survival of stomach and esophagus cancer patients in Germany in the early 21st century. Acta Oncol. 2012;51(7):906-14. https://doi.org/10.3109/0284186X.2012.673732
https://doi.org/10.3109/0284186X.2012.67... ,²²22. Rawla P, Barsouk A. Epidemiology of gastric cancer: global trends, risk factors and prevention. Prz Gastroenterol. 2019;14(1):26-38. https://doi.org/10.5114/pg.2018.80001
https://doi.org/10.5114/pg.2018.80001... . In Florianópolis, survival rates below 50% were also found for both sexes (45.1% for women and 36.1% for men)²³23. Schneider IJC, Schmidt TP, Patrício PSMS, Bomfim RA, Garcia LP, Nunes RD, et al. Survival and burden of cancer: a population-based analysis in a medium size city in Brazil. Res Soc Dev. 2021;10(5):1-14. https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i5.15140
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i5.15140... .

Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, the disease remains highly lethal, the fifth most frequently diagnosed cancer and the third most lethal. Average survival rates reflect the fact that most people are diagnosed with the presence of metastases. It is a disease with histological and etiological heterogeneity²²22. Rawla P, Barsouk A. Epidemiology of gastric cancer: global trends, risk factors and prevention. Prz Gastroenterol. 2019;14(1):26-38. https://doi.org/10.5114/pg.2018.80001
https://doi.org/10.5114/pg.2018.80001... ; therefore, primary prevention through the control of well-established risk factors (such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, high-salt food intake) is essential to reduce incidence rates, and warnings about signs and symptoms are essential for early diagnosis .

Colon and rectal cancer

The findings of the present study are in line with research that identified an overall 5-year survival rate for people with colorectal cancer between 63 and 65% and worse prognosis in the age group over 70 years²³23. Schneider IJC, Schmidt TP, Patrício PSMS, Bomfim RA, Garcia LP, Nunes RD, et al. Survival and burden of cancer: a population-based analysis in a medium size city in Brazil. Res Soc Dev. 2021;10(5):1-14. https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i5.15140
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i5.15140... ,²⁴24. Aguiar Junior S, Oliveira MM, Silva DRM, Mello CAL, Calsavara VF, Curado MP. Survival of patients with colorectal cancer in a cancer center. Arq Gastroenterol. 2020;57(2):172-7. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0004-2803.202000000-32
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0004-2803.20200... .

Survival rates may vary depending on the stage and primary location of the disease. In metastatic or stage IV neoplasms, the relative survival rate is low, which was also identified in this study. Therefore, tumors in a metastatic setting make treatment more complex and tend to have a worse outlook²⁵25. França VG, Bertolazzi LG. Sobrevida de pacientes com neoplasia maligna de colo conforme localização primária à direita ou esquerda. Arch Health Sci. 2019;26(3):163. https://doi.org/10.17696/2318-3691.26.3.2019.1661
https://doi.org/10.17696/2318-3691.26.3.... . In addition, it is noteworthy that the higher survival may be related to the early initiation of treatment, regardless of other characteristics²⁴24. Aguiar Junior S, Oliveira MM, Silva DRM, Mello CAL, Calsavara VF, Curado MP. Survival of patients with colorectal cancer in a cancer center. Arq Gastroenterol. 2020;57(2):172-7. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0004-2803.202000000-32
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0004-2803.20200... .

Liver cancer

Despite some improvements in liver cancer survival rates in recent decades, the overall prognosis for this disease remains poor. A study carried out in the United States in 2017 reveals a 5-year survival rate of 21% in general, ranging from 4% for distant stage disease to 37% for localized disease²⁶26. Islami F, Miller KD, Siegel RL, Fedewa SA, Ward EM, Jemal A. Disparities in liver cancer occurrence in the United States by race/ethnicity and state. CA Cancer J Clin. 2017;67(4):273-89. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21402
https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21402... , which is close to the data found in this study.

The literature shows higher survival rates for these individuals, which may be related to better control of risk factors, early detection and treatment, pointing to the quality of health care provided²⁴24. Aguiar Junior S, Oliveira MM, Silva DRM, Mello CAL, Calsavara VF, Curado MP. Survival of patients with colorectal cancer in a cancer center. Arq Gastroenterol. 2020;57(2):172-7. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0004-2803.202000000-32
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0004-2803.20200... .

Pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer has a high lethality and despite not being among the ten most common types, it represents the eighth leading cause of death. In most cases, the diagnosis is made at a late stage, which makes the possibility of curative treatment difficult. The known survival rate is around 5% in five years²⁸28. Soldan M. Rastreamento do câncer de pâncreas. Rev Col Bras Cir. 2017;44(2):109-11. https://doi.org/10.1590/0100-69912017002015
https://doi.org/10.1590/0100-69912017002... . In the present study, the survival rate was slightly higher, 12.9% for women and 16.0% for men, which still reflects a low survival rate.

As for independent risk factors for death, only advanced age was significant for these findings, which is supported by the literature in relation to the predominance of individuals affected in the sixth decade of life²⁸28. Soldan M. Rastreamento do câncer de pâncreas. Rev Col Bras Cir. 2017;44(2):109-11. https://doi.org/10.1590/0100-69912017002015
https://doi.org/10.1590/0100-69912017002... ,²⁹29. Silva WCF, Lima AGS, Silva HVC, Santos RA. Perfil clínico-epidemiológico e sobrevida global em pacientes com adenocarcinoma de pâncreas em um hospital de referência em Oncologia. Rev Bras Cancerol. 2021;67(1):e-16967. https://doi.org/10.32635/2176-9745.RBC.2021v67n1.967
https://doi.org/10.32635/2176-9745.RBC.2... .

Bronchial, trachea and lung cancer

In this study, bronchial, trachea and lung cancer was the second most diagnosed. However, worldwide, this is the most incident type, with 2.1 million cases, affecting more men and usually detected in more advanced cases⁴4. Instituto Nacional do Câncer. Estimativa 2020: inciência de câncer no Brasil. Rio de Janeiro: INCA; 2019 [cited 2021 May 10]. Available from: https://www.inca.gov.br/publicacoes/livros/estimativa-2020-incidencia-de-cancer-no-brasil
https://www.inca.gov.br/publicacoes/livr... .

Research carried out in Florianópolis showed similar results to those found here, with survival rates of 22.5%²³23. Schneider IJC, Schmidt TP, Patrício PSMS, Bomfim RA, Garcia LP, Nunes RD, et al. Survival and burden of cancer: a population-based analysis in a medium size city in Brazil. Res Soc Dev. 2021;10(5):1-14. https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i5.15140
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i5.15140... . Such rates are higher than those reported in a survey carried out in Spain, which in five years reached 14%³⁰30. Camacho Sosa K, Alonso Lemus L, Ramirez Rodríguez D, Carreño Rolando IE, Mendoza Jorge E, García Soto J. Supervivencia de pacientes con cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas en estadios avanzados. Matanzas. Rev Med Electron. 2021 [cited 2021 May 10];43(1):2795-807. Available from: http://scielo.sld.cu/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1684-18242021000102795
http://scielo.sld.cu/scielo.php?script=s... .

The risk of lung cancer and consequent death from the disease is related to greater intensity of exposure to smoking, in addition to factors such as occupational exposure to chemical or physical agents³⁰30. Camacho Sosa K, Alonso Lemus L, Ramirez Rodríguez D, Carreño Rolando IE, Mendoza Jorge E, García Soto J. Supervivencia de pacientes con cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas en estadios avanzados. Matanzas. Rev Med Electron. 2021 [cited 2021 May 10];43(1):2795-807. Available from: http://scielo.sld.cu/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1684-18242021000102795
http://scielo.sld.cu/scielo.php?script=s... .

Bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is the most frequent in the urinary tract and affects men more often, results similar to those of this study⁴4. Instituto Nacional do Câncer. Estimativa 2020: inciência de câncer no Brasil. Rio de Janeiro: INCA; 2019 [cited 2021 May 10]. Available from: https://www.inca.gov.br/publicacoes/livros/estimativa-2020-incidencia-de-cancer-no-brasil
https://www.inca.gov.br/publicacoes/livr... . The 5-year overall survival identified in this study is between the 60% and 80% described in the literature ²³23. Schneider IJC, Schmidt TP, Patrício PSMS, Bomfim RA, Garcia LP, Nunes RD, et al. Survival and burden of cancer: a population-based analysis in a medium size city in Brazil. Res Soc Dev. 2021;10(5):1-14. https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i5.15140
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i5.15140... ,³¹31. Medeiros RB, Chaves NR, Vilela RA, Cruz DA. Câncer de bexiga. In: Santos M, editor, Strava T, Faria LDBB, Pinheiro RN. Diretrizes oncológicas 2. 2. ed. rev. ampl. São Paulo: Doctor Press; 2018. p.367-76..

Among newly diagnosed cases, approximately 30% have presented with locally advanced or metastatic disease. However, the population’s greater access to diagnostic imaging methods has increased early diagnoses, whose rates reflect much more favorable results³¹31. Medeiros RB, Chaves NR, Vilela RA, Cruz DA. Câncer de bexiga. In: Santos M, editor, Strava T, Faria LDBB, Pinheiro RN. Diretrizes oncológicas 2. 2. ed. rev. ampl. São Paulo: Doctor Press; 2018. p.367-76..

Acute myeloid leukemia

AML is one of the four most frequent types of leukemia and the one that most affects adults⁴4. Instituto Nacional do Câncer. Estimativa 2020: inciência de câncer no Brasil. Rio de Janeiro: INCA; 2019 [cited 2021 May 10]. Available from: https://www.inca.gov.br/publicacoes/livros/estimativa-2020-incidencia-de-cancer-no-brasil
https://www.inca.gov.br/publicacoes/livr... . The findings of this study are similar to those found in a study carried out in the United States, which showed that individuals diagnosed with AML and aged 75 years or older had lower survival rates compared to other age groups³²32. Utuama O, Mukhtar F, Pham YTH, Dabo B, Manani P, Moser J, et al. Racial/ethnic, age and sex disparities in leukemia survival among adults in the United States during 1973-2014 period. PLoS One. 2019;14(8):e0220864. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0220864
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.022... .

Another study carried out in the USA shows that elderly people with AML have more comorbidities and higher rates of complications as compared to controls without cancer. Thus, the presence of comorbidities, previous organ dysfunction and a perception of unfitness for intensive chemotherapy interfere in the survival rates of this population³³33. Dhopeshwarkar N, Iqbal S, Wang X, Salas M. A retrospective study of comorbidities and complications in elderly acute myeloid leukemia patients in the United States. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk. 2019;19(8):e436-56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clml.2019.04.012.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clml.2019.04.0... .

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

This study presented the survival rate and prognostic factors for 13 types of cancer that are tobacco-related. Worse prognostic factors and survival rates differ across types. Staging was the most frequent risk factor for worse prognosis, demonstrating the importance of campaigns to warn about primary prevention and early diagnosis. Smoking remains one of the main risk factors for several NCDs, including cancer, and thus directly impacts the burden of disease, with social and economic costs and loss of quality of life.

The study has limitations related to the use of secondary data, which results in the absence of information that could complement it, such as data on socioeconomic profile and smoking status. Likewise, the occurrence of incomplete data due to lack of information or typing error in the SIM makes data analysis difficult and can interfere with the research results. Also noteworthy is the lack of information about smoking during life, as this could reinforce for the population the importance of smoking as a risk factor for the development and evolution of the disease.

Among the positive points we highlight the RCBP quality indices, the percentage of histological verification – 92.6%, the percentage of cases identified only by the death certificate – 2.68%, and the percentage of cases diagnosed with unknown primary location (C80.9) – 0.83%, during the period from 2008 to 2012. In addition, the Santa Catarina SIM has high completeness.

Florianópolis follows the behavior of the south of the country, as already identified in other studies, such as the international panorama for some types of cancer. The National Policy for Cancer Prevention and Control is based on data from national and international studies to guide its actions. In this sense, this study can contribute to the adaptation of policies and actions to local realities, since there is a very large sociocultural, economic and population diversity in the country. Such realities directly impact the data found in the different Brazilian regions. For cancer control, it is essential to know the local characteristics, which dialogue with the social characteristics and access to health in the territory. Understanding the behavior of the disease through survival analysis is one of the ways to support the accomplishment of prevention, promotion and awareness work.

The findings of this study also reinforce the need for public investment in tobacco control policy, in order to expand and guarantee the population’s access to policies at the local level, since all the neoplasms discussed here are related to tobacco use and integrate NCD coping plans. Despite the laws that support cases of suspicion or diagnosis of neoplasia, the anti-smoking law of the municipality of Florianópolis and the Tobacco Control Policy, it is necessary to extrapolate the data found to health professionals and managers, aiming at strengthening and consolidating the measures of prevention, early detection, screening and appropriate treatment for cancer.

REFERENCES

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