KIDNEY CANCER IN CANADA - THE RAPIDLY INCREASING INCIDENCE OF ADENOCARCINOMA IN ADULTS AND SENIORS

Purpose: To examine kidney cancer incidence, and mortality patterns si nce 1969 in Canada. Method: Linear regression of the log rates was use d to estimate secular trends by age group and sex, and age-period-coho rt models were fitted to examine changes in kidney cancer and renal ad enocarcinoma rates. Results: A substantial increase in incidence rates was observed among those 35 years and older, with average increases o f 2.5% or more annually for both sexes. Age-period-cohort modelling su ggested that much of this increase resulted from a period effect. Chan ges in mortality were much more modest, especially among those aged 0- 34, for whom mortality rates actually declined by an average of 4.2% a nd 5.4% annually for males and females respectively. Conclusions: Kidn ey cancer incidence rates have increased significantly, especially ren al adenocarcinoma among adults and seniors. Diagnostic improvements an d increasing levels of obesity in the Canadian population may have con tributed to these trends.