Epidemiology of hospital discharges for anal cancer in Chile 2014-2024

Abstract

Background: Anal cancer is a rare malignancy with a sustained increase in incidence worldwide. Epidemiological data for this condition in Chile are scarce. Objective: To describe the epidemio-logical characteristics of hospital discharges for anal cancer in Chile during 2014–2024, calculating population-adjusted rates.

Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study based on Department of Health Statistics and Information (DEIS) of the Ministry of Health records: hospital discharges 2014–2024 coded as C21 (ICD-10) and death certificates 2000–2025. Rates per 100,000 inhabitants were calculated using population projections from the National Statistics Institute (INE). Length of stay is reported as median [IQR]; comparisons were performed using Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and Fisher’s test.

Results: A total of 1,396 hospital discharges were recorded. The national rate increased from 0.44 to 1.23 per 100,000 inhabitants (180%). Highest regional rates corresponded to Aysén (1.17) and Atacama (1.06). The 50–59 age group was most affected. In-hospital mortality was 2.7%. A total of 764 deaths were recorded between 2000 and 2025, with female predominance among deaths (58.8%) despite male predominance in discharges (55.2%), and a mean age at death of 69.6 years. The mortality rate increased from 0.11 to 0.32 per 100,000. Among those who died, 73.8% died at home.

Conclusions: Hospital discharges and mortality for anal cancer show a sustained increase. The high proportion of deaths at home may reflect the role of GES palliative care or diagnostic inequities. The real disease burden does not concentrate in the most populated regions.