An Epidemiological Study of Urogenital Cancer in Gunma Prefecture

Abstract

The incidence and mortality rate of urogenital cancers in Japan are both low compared to those in western countries. However, the incidence and mortality patterns of cancer in Japan are currently becoming closer to those of western countries, and the importance of urogenital cancers is increasing. We conducted an analysis of urogenital cancers in Gunma Prefecture. The subjects were newly detected urogenital cancer patients living in Gunma Prefecture diagnosed between 1985 and 1992. Details were as follows: prostate cancer 1411, bladder cancer 1253 (male 937, female 316), renal cell carcinoma 411 (male 287, female 124), renal pelvic and ureter cancer 187 (male 127, female 60) and testicular cancer 162. Incidence rate was calculated by year, district and age, and was expressed per 100,000/year and was adjusted to world population. Regarding the incidence rate per year for males, that of prostate cancer and renal cell carcinoma increased dramatically from 8.3 to 13.6 and from 1.1 to 3.2, respectively. Incidence rate of other cancers in males showed a slight increase or remained almost stable. Incidence rate by year for females showed a slight increase or remained almost stable as a whole. Gunma Prefecture was divided into 10 districts by the range of daily life of people and the incidence rates of prostate cancer, bladder cancer and renal cell carcinoma for each district were calculated. Incidence rate of prostate cancer tended to be higher in the northern parts of the prefecture, while that of bladder cancer showed no detectable trend.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)