Females\' esophagus cancer incidence in Golestan Province, Iran (2004)

Abstract

Esophagus cancer is one of the most common cancers in women and therefore represents a major problem in public health. The main aim of this study was to find and describe province-specific estimates of incidence in females by age groups for esophagus cancer. The data used in this study were collected in a cancer registry that was conducted by Health Deputy of Golestan province for a period of 1 year (2004). The age distribution was collected according to the following age strata: 0-4, 5-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84 and 85 above. Esophagus cancer data was identified and collected through the 18 Pathology Laboratory centers (where female populations were referred to these centers) in Golestan province. A total of 348 primary cancer cases were captured. From these 32 cases was esophagus cancer. There were 26 cases of squamous cell carcinoma (81.25%), and 1 adenocarcinoma (3.12%). Esophagus cancer incidence among females in Golestan province was 7.62/100000. But esophagus cancer with the highest ASR: 127.91/100,000 was in age 75-79. The incidence of esophagus cancer in age over 75-79 has risen sharply and it was the lowest in age 30-34 (ASR: 1.68/100,000). Presently it can be said that esophagus cancer in females appears to be one of the most prevalent and serious types of cancer (especially squamous cell carcinoma) in Golestan province and esophagus cancer is rising with ageing. Keywords: Esophagus cancer; Incidence; Female; Age-standardized rates (ASR)Internet Journal of Medical Update Vol. 3 (2) 2008: pp. 36-39