RESUMO
A retrospective study of cancer was conducted in the region of South Gujarat particularly in Surat and its vicinity over a period of 6 years (1980-85) to determine type and frequency of occurrence of various malignancies. During this period 2358 new cancer cases were recorded. A total of 60 types of cancer have been detected and confirmed histopathologically. Oral, laryngeal and oesophageal malignancies were common in males. In females, cancer of breast formed the largest group followed by cancer of cervix. A comparative high rate of lung and testicular cancers was recorded in males. In females, cancers of ovary, stomach and lung were more common. In the present study, the incidence of leukaemias was recorded to be low as compared with other types of cancer. Lack of awareness and ignorance of the disease, addiction to tobacco and alcohol and increasing environmental pollution could be some of the factors responsible for higher incidence of cancers.