F. Levi et al., INCIDENCE, MORTALITY AND SURVIVAL FROM PROSTATE-CANCER IN VAUD AND NEUCHATEL, SWITZERLAND, 1974-1994, Annals of oncology, 9(1), 1998, pp. 31-35
Backround: Prostate cancer incidence has been increasing in most devel
oped countries in the absence of similar trends in mortality, and with
variable patterns in different areas of the world. Materials and meth
ods. Trends in incidence and mortality from prostate cancer for the pe
riod 1974-1994 were analysed using data from the Cancer Registries of
the Swiss Cantons of Vaud and Neuchatel. Of 5,010 cases registered, 80
% were histologically or cytologically confirmed. Results. Age-standar
dized incidence rates increased from 33.1 to 48.6 per 100,000 (+47%).
The upward trends were greater in the most recent calendar periods, an
d in the younger age groups (+77% at age 45 to 54; +57% at age 55 to 6
4). in contrast, mortality was stable, with an overall increase of onl
y 3% in age-standardized rates (from 20.4 to 21.0 per 100,000), due to
some increase in men aged 65 or above. Consequently, the incidence/mo
rtality rate ratios increased from 1.6 in 1974-1979 to 2.3 in 1990-199
4. Five-year observed and relative survivals increased from 26% to 41%
and from 46% to 58%, respectively. Ten-year observed and relative sur
vival for cases diagnosed in 1985-1989 were 19% and 42%, respectively.
Survival improvements were greater below age 75. Conclusions. The pat
tern of trends in incidence, mortality and survival confirms the influ
ence of improved diagnosis of prostate cancer over the last few years
in this European population. Still, while Swiss prostatic cancer morta
lity rates are the highest in the world (20.3 per 100,000, world stand
ard), i.e., about 30% higher than in the United States, all races comb
ined, incidence rates are still half as much. On account of the steady
increase of prostate-specific antigen testing in Switzerland, further
incidence increases are likely.