Trends in the incidence and morbidity of Merkel cell carcinoma in Brazil

Abstract

Aims: The current study aims to present epidemiologic changes and clinical aspects of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) in Brazil. Methods: Data were collected from the Brazilian Population-Based Cancer Registries (2000–2015) and Hospital-Based Cancer Registries (2000–2017). Results: The average age-standardized incidence rates significantly increased in men between the years 2000 (0.31/1,000,000) and 2015 (1.21/1,000,000), with an annual percentage change of 9.4 (95% CI: 4.7–14.4; p < 0.001). In women, the incidence rates rose insignificantly in the period with an annual percentage change of 3.1 (95% CI: 0.0–6.2; p < 0.10). From the hospital-based database, 881 MCC patients were identified. Most of the patients were females (51.2%), aged >60 years (82.2%), White (67.6%) and diagnosed at stages III or IV (50.5%). Conclusions: A key aspect of public health promotion is to understand the incidence and morbidity of MCC.