Children and adolescents with cancer assisted in a Support Institution in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil – Preliminary study

Abstract

Introduction: The most frequent tumors in childhood are leukemias, central nervous system tumors, lymphomas, and neuroblastoma. According to Brazilian National Institute of Cancer (INCA), these patients should maintain follow-up with a multidisciplinary team for early recognition and appropriate care of possible late complications. Patients and Methods: Children and adolescents, from 3 to 21 years of age, diagnosed with cancer, in outpatient follow-up, supported by the Ricardo Moyses Junior Cancer Foundation (Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil) were invited to participate. These are preliminary results of a cross-sectional observational study, approved by the University’s ethics committee (opinion: 28699920.2.0000.5147). The data collections were performed remotely (WhatsApp), with personal and environmental information and application of physical activity level instruments. Descriptive Frequency Analysis was performed for data analysis. Result(s): Nineteen participants participated in this preliminary study. Of these, 57.9% are female; mean age 11.37 years (5.84). The diagnosese were: 36.8% acute lymphoid leukemia, 10.5% chronic myeloid leukemia, 21.1% Hodgkin lymphoma, 5.3% neuroblastoma; 52.6% of the participants were in intermediate phase of treatment, 42.1% in control phase and 5.3% in palliative care; 36.8% of the participants in chemotherapy treatment; 26.3% chemotherapy and radiotherapy and 10.5% surgical approach. The participants were mostly physically inactive (78.9%). Regarding the follow-up with professionals from the multidisciplinary team, 57.9% had nutritional follow-up and 42.1% received physiotherapy. Conclusion(s): The study suggests that the prevalence of cancer in the assisted population agrees with INCA estimates. More attention and care are needed regarding nutritional care of the participants and guidelines for physical inactivity.