The prevalence of tumors of the breast and female genital tract in Italy

Data from 10 Italian population-based cancer registries were used to estima te the prevalence of female tumors of the breast and genital tract. The tot al prevalence, expressed in number per 100,000, was highest for breast canc er (1,117), followed by cancer of the corpus (264) and cervix uteri (146), ovary (110), and vagina and vulva (23). For all rumors the prevalence incre ased with age at diagnosis. The cancer prevalence was divided into intervals from diagnosis, expressing different health needs in terms of therapy and intensity of clinical follo w-up. For all tumors considered, 1-year prevalence was higher than 1-2-year prevalence, reflecting a high death risk due to perioperative mortality an d to the proportion of patients diagnosed at advanced stages. The prevalenc e decreased in the following intervals considered. Noticeable geographic variability was observed in the prevalence across Ita ly, with higher proportions being registered in the northern-central region s than in the South. The two extreme 0-5-year prevalence figures (per 100,0 00) were: far breast cancer 568 (Genova) and 259 (Ragusa); for corpus uteri cancer 94 (Romagna) and 21 (Latina); for cervix uteri cancer 63 (Romagna) and 26 (Latina); for ovarian cancer 49 (Parma) and 21 (Latina); for cancer of the vagina and vulva 17 (Genova) and 5 (Ragusa). This variability depend s mainly on incidence and on the proportion of elderly in the general popul ation. From 1987 to 1992 there was an increase in the prevalence of tumors of the breast, ovary and vagina and vulva, especially in the elderly. The prevalen ce of corpus uteri cancer decreased slightly in the elderly only, whereas t hat of cervix uteri cancer decreased at all ages.