Caracterização das pacientes com alterações citopatológicas em uma instituição de saúde de Santa Catarina no ano de 2023

Abstract

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of female mortality worldwide and represents the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death among women in Brazil. The periodic performance of Pap smear tests (cervical cytology) is the most widely adopted strategy in the country for the screening of this type of cancer. This study aims to characterize the profile of patients with cytopathological abnormalities identified in Pap smear tests performed at the Rede Feminina de Combate ao Câncer de Chapecó-SC health institution in 2023. This is an observational, retrospective, and cross-sectional study. The data were extracted from the Cancer Information System (SISCAN) and include information on the sociodemographic, clinical, and cytopathological profiles of patients with cellular atypia. The research revealed that 9,977 cytopathological exams were performed, among which 205 showed cellular atypia. The main reason for undergoing the cytological exams was cancer screening, with the highest percentage of abnormalities found in women aged 21 to 50 years (76.4%), and a predominance of white women. Clinically, the variables statistically associated with age were the use of oral contraceptives, the frequency of exam performance, and a history of radiotherapy treatment. Regarding the cytopathological results, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) were the most frequent findings among women, predominantly in the 21 to 30-year age group. Highgrade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) were more common in women aged 21 to 40 years, reinforcing the importance of regular screening. The ASC/SIL ratio was approximately 0.67, a value within the recommended range, which supports the consistency of the diagnostic findings, although it may suggest a tendency toward overinterpretation of nonspecific cytological changes. Finally, it is noteworthy that current literature aligns with most of the results obtained in this study. However, further research is needed to overcome its limitations and to improve cervical cancer prevention strategies in the municipality.