Epidemiology of bladder cancer with emphasis in Colombia - Review of the literature

Abstract

Introduction Bladder cancer is the ninth most common cancer for both sexes with an increasing incidence. There is an apparent relationship between the development of countries and the epidemiology of cancer; the objective of this article is to observe the epidemiology of bladder cancer in our environment respect to other countries and to describe the possible associated factors. Methods A review of the literature was performed in four databases: Medline, Embase, Cochrane database and Lilacs. Studies about Incidence, prevalence, mortality, survival and burden of disease, published in the past 5 years, were included. Results 7806 references were found that were discriminated by title and abstract, 44 references in full text were included at the end. Different incidence and mortality rates were observed, the highest being found in Europe mainly in the Czech Republic followed by North America. In Colombia, the general incidence was 6.8 / 100,000 in men and 2.1 / 100,000 in women between 2003 and 2007, finding low numbers in departments such as Guajira. Conclusions There has been an increase in the incidence and mortality of bladder cancer worldwide. There seems to be an association with smoking and diet, as well as with the Human Development Index. There is little information in Latin America; in Colombia, observing the data of some departments and the distribution of specialists in the different regions a sub-register can be consider, making necessary to improve surveillance systems, as well as health policies for the diagnosis and early intervention of cancer.