Epidemiologic surveillance of mesothelioma in Umbria.

BACKGROUND: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is becoming a prominent health issue due to its low survival and for its increasing incidence in various countries. The objectives of this study were to evaluate epidemiological characteristics and trends of MM in the Umbrian Region for the period 2003-2013. METHODS: All cases of MM reported to Umbrian Population Cancer Registry between 2003 and 2013. Incidence Annual Standardized Rates (ASRs) were analyzed for all histological types of MM. Estimated Annual Percent Change (APC) and joinpoint regression analysis were used to out light the time trend of MM. Geographical distribution of the relative risk for each municipality was calculated by Standardized Incidence Ratios SIRs. RESULTS: 191 (156 males) MM cases were recorded in Umbrian residents in the period 2003-2013. Pleural mesothelioma affected 92.1% of the total. Gender ratio M/F was 5.9:1. ASRs for MM was 3.2 among men and 0.6 among women. Joinpoint analysis showed a decrease in females APC -8.4 (95% IC -33.7-26.6) and an increase in males APC 5.8 (95% IC -0.9-13.0). An occupational exposure was identified in 43.7% of females and in 90.7% of males. CONCLUSIONS: The protracted cancer latency and the continued asbestos existence as environmental contaminant in existing buildings, as well as a carcinogenic risk for the workers involved in removing operations of material containing asbestos justifies the investment in a specific surveillance system. Also important would be to implement a national risk communication strategy addressed to the general population, environment surveillance of the high risk areas and guarantee that all workers involved that even may deal with asbestos are always fully equipped and trained, not only for their individual risk but also for the potential risk of non correct disposal.

Estimates of cancer burden in Umbria.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Model-based estimates and projections of epidemiological indicators related to cancer are important tools to support public health policies and planning. The aim of the present study is to produce projections of cancer incidence, mortality and prevalence for the Umbria region (900,000 inhabitants) in central Italy. METHODS: The estimations were obtained by applying the MIAMOD method, a statistical back-calculation approach to derive incidence and prevalence figures starting from mortality and relative survival data. Published data from the Italian cancer registries were modeled in order to estimate regional cancer survival. Estimated incidence rates were validated with observed incidence rates obtained from the Umbria regional cancer registry. RESULTS: The most frequent cancer sites estimated were colon-rectum, prostate and breast in women, with 970, 615 and 729 new diagnoses, respectively, in 2012. The incidence rates were increasing for female lung cancer, male colorectal cancer, and melanoma. By contrast, the rates have been declining for cervix and stomach cancer. For lung cancer and prostate cancer in men and colorectal cancer in women the rates increased, reaching a peak in different periods, and then decreased. The incidence rates of breast cancer rose, reaching a plateau in the mid 2010s. Favorable mortality trends were predicted for all cancers except skin melanoma and lung cancer in women. The prevalence of cancer was increasing with the only exception of cervical cancer in women and lung cancer in men in the most recent estimation period. CONCLUSION: The scenario found for cancer incidence and prevalence was largely influenced by screening activities, so that increasing or stable incidence rates may reflect active preventive efforts. Aging, screening, and more complex and costly treatments pose a problem of sustainability and selection of interventions to the regional oncology system. Evaluation of effectiveness of intervention and cost-benefit analyses will be important to ensure cancer control in the future.

Incidence of multiple primary cancers following respiratory tract cancer in Umbria, Italy.

UNLABELLED: Improvements in cancer survival and life expectancy have placed a focus on long-term risks following a primary cancer, including that of developing other primary malignancies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk, in patients with respiratory tract cancers, of developing a second primary malignancy. METHODS: Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) of observed to expected cases were calculated for residents of Umbria diagnosed with laryngeal and lung cancer between 1994 and 2008. Significance and 95% confidence intervals were determined assuming a Poisson distribution. RESULTS: In total, 189 and 340 cases of second primary cancers were observed respectively among laryngeal and lung cancer patients. Male laryngeal cancer patients were found to have a significantly increased risk of lung cancer (SIR=4.10), non-melanoma skin cancer (SIR=2.10), bladder cancer (SIR=2.25) and pancreatic cancer (SIR=3.85). In females, a significantly increased risk was observed only when all sites combined were considered. Male lung cancer patients were found to have a significantly increased risk for laryngeal cancer (SIR=4.36), esophageal cancer (SIR=3.97), kidney cancer (SIR=3.40), multiple myeloma and malignant plasma cell neoplasm (SIR=2.97), bladder cancer (SIR=2.20) and non-melanoma skin cancer (SIR=1.55). In females, the risk of developing a second cancer was higher but was not significant for non-melanoma skin cancers, colon and breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Study results show an excess risk of other primary malignancies in respiratory tract cancer patients, particularly males. This may be due to shared risk factors, genetic susceptibility, effect of first cancer treatments and increased diagnostic surveillance.