Challenges and peculiarities of oncological diagnosis and treatment in the indigenous population

Abstract

Objective: To report the case of an indigenous patient diagnosed with Chondroblastic Osteosarcoma. Case Details: Indigenous patient, female, 16 years old, previously healthy, reported a fall from her own height, evolving with pain in the lower third of the right thigh and difficulty walking. He sought medical care in the village, but without improvement. She was referred to highly complex services. After that, the lesion was investigated with biopsy and histopathological analysis, showing Chondroblastic Osteosarcoma with the presence of pulmonary metastases. He evolved with difficult-to-control osteomyelitis, so it was decided to perform a right hip disarticulation and an adjuvant chemotherapy regimen. A good clinical response was obtained. In this case, it was observed that the logistics of organizing indigenous health care still have many flaws, such as lack of supplies, human resources and communication. In addition, the diagnosis was delayed and, when made, it already had metastases, denoting advanced disease activity. Final considerations: The process of diagnosis, treatment and oncological follow-up of indigenous patients both in Pará and in Brazil is hampered both by management factors and structural organization and by cultural discrepancies.