Descriptive epidemiology of upper aerodigestive tract cancers in the department of Somme

The aim of this study is to show the epidemiologic features of upper aerodi gestive tract cancers in the department of Somme. This study focused on the 1984-1995 period. For men, the upper aerodigestive tract cancers are the m ost frequent cancers in the Somme area. The incidence rate of pharynx cance rs has shown slightly a decline over the past 10 years. The mortality rate of larynx cancers for males fell from 18.2 in 1984-1987 to 13.8 in 1992-199 5 per 100,000. 5-year survival rates are between 20 and 39% for men, and fr om 23 to 42% for women. France has the highest incidence of these cancers i n Europe. Within the country, the Somme area has a high risk for incidences and mortality as well. The results of this study indicate that upper aerod igestive tract cancers represent a serious problem for public health. Furth er areas need to be researched before such factors can be causally implicat ed in the aetiology of the disease in order to make up the prevention.