Cancer in north west Pakistan

ABSTRACT

From 1990 to 1994 all patients with biopsy proven cancer who referred to the Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine [IRNUM], Peshawar were included in the study. IRNUM is the only hospital in the North West Frontier Province [NWFP] where majority of the patients are referred. There were 10, 371 adult patients which included 5, 707 males and 4, 664 females. [122 males per 100 females]. Patients whose histopathology was doubtful or not available were excluded from the study. Skin cancer was the most common cancer among males followed by lymphoma, oral cancer, bladder cancer, lung cancer, oesophageal cancer, soft tissue tumor, prostate cancer, brain tumours and myeloid leukaemia. In women, breast cancer was the leading malignancy, followed by skin, ovary, oral cancer, oesopheagus, cervix, lymphoma, uterus, myeloid leukaemia and soft tissue. The annual incidence rate has also been calculated keeping in view that all or nearly all cancer cases occurring in NWFP have been covered and secondly, all cases registered who were residents of NWFP as Afghan refugees, were excluded. The incidence rate is based calculated increase after the 1981 Census