Epidemiological description of bladder cancer in Chile from 1999 to 2020

Abstract

Introduction: Bladder cancer is a highly recurrent neoplasm with no updated epidemiological description in Chile. Objective: To describe the epidemiology of mortality and hospital discharges for bladder cancer in Chile between 2002 and 2019. Methodology: Quantitative study based on data from the Department of Health Statistics and Information on hospital discharges and mortality in Chile due to bladder cancer during 2002-2019. The magnitude of the problem and its variation over time, according to sex, age and geography, was analysed based on the data collected and calculations made from these. Results: The hospital discharge rate increased by 72%, while mortality remained constant. The Antofagasta Region recorded the highest discharge and mortality rates, exceeding the national average by 2 and 4.3 times, respectively. The highest discharge rate was recorded among those aged 75-79, with 111.5 discharges per 100,000 inhabitants, while the highest death rate was among those over 80, with a rate 15.9 times higher than the national level. Years lived with disability increased by 57%. Hospital discharges and mortality are 2.8 times and 2.91 times higher in men, respectively. Discussion: Mortality and hospital discharges in Chile are higher in men over the age of 75 and residents of the northern region. Despite a decrease in mortality from this cancer, patients live longer with disability. Conclusion: Bladder cancer presents differences by age, sex, and region. Although patients die at older ages, they have greater post-treatment disability.