Dados do Trabalho

Título

ACCESS TO DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENTS FOR PATIENTS WITH NEUROENDOCRINE TUMORS IN BRAZIL

Introdução

While new treatments and diagnostic methods for neuroendocrine tumors (NET) patients (pts) have been incorporated, their access to Brazilian pts is unknown.

Objetivo

To understand frequency and patterns of national access to diagnosis and treatments for NET, according to health care systems (SUS vs private).

Método

This was a cross-sectional e-survey containing 16 multiple-option questions sent to oncologists across the country through social networks. Questions collected demographic data of participants, work setting, patterns of follow-up and availability of high-level evidence-based diagnostic tests and therapies for NET pts.

Resultado

Fifty-four percent (n=109) of the 201 oncologists reported they worked in both public and private settings. Concerning access to diagnostic tests, 54.7% (n=111) used chromogranin A to follow up pts. While access to tomography or MRI was high (89.1%, n =180) in both settings, Galium68PET-CT was available in 53.2% (n=103) of private institutions and in 27.4% (n=31) of SUS. Regarding treatment, somatostatin analogues were available in 20.4% (n=41) of SUS and in 81.6% (n=165) of respondents working in private settings. Lutetium177 was offered in 33.8% (n=68) of private centers but was unavailable in most SUS services (76% n=101). Targeted therapy was available in 39% (n=80) and 43.3% (n=87) of SUS and private centers, respectively. Oral chemotherapy (CapTem) was available in the private system in 38.6% (n=78) and in 35.1% (n=71) in the public health system.

Conclusão

Access to standard diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for NET pts is suboptimal in both public and private health care systems of Brazil. These concerning data can be used as a benchmark for future studies and initiatives to improve access and decrease disparities for the management of NET pts.

Palavras-chave

neuroendocrine tumor, access.