BACKGROUND: Based on the necessity of detailed information that supports effective strategies to improve cancer outcomes in the different regions of Brazil, the aims of this study were to report demographic aspects and to calculate the prevalence and incidence rates of oncohematological diseases in the region of Vale do Paraíba. METHODS: This is a multicentric prospective study carried out from October 2009 to March 2010. A total of 500 over 19-year-old patients were enrolled. Data such as type of healthcare insurance, gender, age, ethnic classification, place of residence, schooling, income, body mass index, new cases and the period between the first symptoms and a definite diagnosis were collected. The prevalence and incidence rates were calculated according to an estimated number of 1,319,800 inhabitants. RESULTS: The prevalence and incidence rates per 100,000 inhabitants in the period of six months were, respectively: acute myeloid leukemia 1.5 and 0.7; acute lymphoblastic leukemia 0.5 and 0.1; chronic lymphocytic leukemia 2.4 and 0.4; chronic myeloid leukemia 6.2 and 0.8; Hodgkin's lymphoma 2.9 and 0.9; non-Hodgkin lymphoma 9.8 and 4.3; multiple myeloma 5.7 and 0.7; myelodysplastic syndromes 2.1 and 0.2 and myeloproliferative syndromes 5.1 and 0.3. CONCLUSION: Giving the paucity of data in this field of investigation, our data may be useful for comparisons with those of other regions of Brazil and will assist in the implementation of treatment programs of oncohematological diseases in this region.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Variações geográficas têm sido demonstradas na leucemia mielóide aguda (LMA). No Brasil poucos estudos têm sido publicados nesta área. O objetivo foi demonstrar a alta prevalência do subtipo FAB M1 em adultos com LMA de novo em São José dos Campos, São Paulo. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Análise retrospectiva, no Hospital Pio XII de São José dos Campos, instituição pública e não ligada a universidade. MÉTODOS: Registros de 39 pacientes consecutivos com LMA de novo foram analisados de janeiro de 2002 até setembro de 2004. Lâminas de sangue periférico e da medula óssea sem identificação prévia foram analisadas por cinco hematologistas e classificadas de acordo com os critérios FAB. Taxas de remissão, de recaída, de mortalidade, de mortalidade de acordo com o período de tratamento, de sobrevivência e de sobrevivência livre de leucemia foram calculadas. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de cada categoria determinada por consenso entre os observadores foi M0: 0, M1: 43,6%, M2: 30,7%, M3: 12,8%, M4: -5,1%, M5: 2,6%, M6: 2,6% and M7: 2,6%. As taxas de remissão e de recaída foram de 82% e 41% respectivamente. A taxa de mortalidade foi de 69% (indução da remissão 7/39, 17.9%, pós-indução 10/32, 31,2% e de recaída 10/16, 62,5%). A taxa de sobrevivência foi de 30% e a taxa de sobrevivência livre de leucemia foi de 33%. CONCLUSÕES: O estudo demonstrou alta prevalência do subtipo FAB M1 em adultos com LMA de novo em São José dos Campos. Nossos resultados sugerem a ocorrência de diferentes prevalências de subtipos FAB nas regiões do Brasil.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Geographical variations have been described in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). In Brazil, few studies have been published on this. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the high prevalence of French-American-British (FAB) M1 subtype in adults with de novo AML in São José dos Campos, State of São Paulo, Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective analysis, at Hospital Pio XII in São José dos Campos, a public non-teaching institution. METHODS: Records from 39 consecutive adult patients with de novo AML referred to Hospital Pio XII between January 2002 and September 2004 were reviewed. Peripheral blood and blood marrow smears were reviewed blindly by five hematologists and classified according to FAB criteria. The rates of remission, relapse, mortality according treatment phase, survival and leukemia-free survival were calculated. RESULTS: The prevalence of each category as determined via a consensus among five observers was M0: 0%; M1: 43.6%; M2: 30.7%; M3: 12.8%; M4: 5.1%; M5: 2.6%: M6: 2.6%; and M7: 2.6%. The remission and the relapse rates were 82% and 41% respectively. The mortality rate was 69% (induction of remission: 7/39, 17.9%; post induction: 10/32, 31.2%; and relapse: 10/16, 62.5%). The survival rate was 30% and leukemia-free survival was 33%. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated a high prevalence of FAB M1 subtype in adults with de novo AML in São José dos Campos. Our data suggest the occurrence of different regional prevalences of FAB AML categories in Brazil.