Brasília – A survey conducted by the Brazilian Association of Lymphoma and Leukemia (Abrale) found that the average time for a lymphoma diagnosis in Brazil can reach 149 days. The study, which included 262 patients, highlights the severe delays affecting treatment outcomes and patients’ quality of life.

Dr. Ricardo Bigni, head of Hematology at the National Cancer Institute (INCA), explained that more than 40 types of lymphoma exist, with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (over 12,000 expected cases this year) and Hodgkin lymphoma (around 3,000) being the most common.

According to the survey, 31% of patients required consultations with more than three physicians before being referred to a specialist. Once referred, the wait for treatment initiation averaged 77 days in the public system and 60 days in the private sector.

Nina Melo, research coordinator at Abrale’s Oncology Observatory, identified multiple causes for the delays: public unawareness of symptoms, slow referrals, and limited access to diagnostic tests. She emphasized that these delays impair early detection even though lymphoma is considered highly curable when diagnosed promptly.

Source: O Estado de S.Paulo

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