The therapeutic itinerary of patients with lymphoma

Abstract

Introduction: Lymphomas are a group of lymphoid neoplasms in which there is accumulation of malignant lymphocytes in the lymph nodes, thus causing lymph node enlargement. Lymphomas account for 3% to 4% of all cancers in the world. Global estimates showed 390,000 new cases and 199,000 deaths from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and 65,000 new cases and 25,000 deaths from Hodgkin's lymphoma in the year 2012. The search for therapeutic care and the attempt to solve health problems lead both patients and family members in a search for treatment known as therapeutic itinerary. Objective: To understand the therapeutic itinerary of patients with lymphoma treated in the public network by a specialized health service. Materials and Methods: A prospective, descriptive study on data collected at a hospital that is a reference for the treatment of oncology in the Zona da Mata Mineira, located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Results: 32 patients participated in the study of which 18 were males (56.3%), aged between 7 and 80 years old, characterized mainly by low levels of schooling as well as income. Prevalence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was represented by 23 subjects (71.9%). A total of 24 patients (75%) were examined by three or more doctors until the definitive diagnosis was obtained. The mean lag time between onset of symptoms and confirming diagnosis of the disease was 9.77 months. The low income of the patients contributed to the delay of their initial health care (p = 0.05) and consequent diagnosis of the lymphoma. Conclusion: The difficulty of access to health care services and the low suspicion in the diagnosis of the disease on behalf of the professionals possibly influenced the delay in establishing the diagnosis.