Cancer in Kashmir, India: burden and pattern of disease

Abstract

Background: Incidence and prevalence of cancers differ in different regions of the world. To study the profile of different cancers in a particular cancer belt helps to know the exact incidence of different cancers in that region and their likely etiology. The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence of different cancers in Kashmir valley.

Materials and methods: Retrospective study of patients registered at our Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) from Jan. 2009 to Dec. 2011 was carried out. All patients were histologically proven malignancies and were referred to the RCC for proper staging and treatment. All patients were properly evaluated and treated.

Results: A total of 8648 patients were registered during this period. Esophageal cancer was the most common cancer followed by cancers of Lung, Stomach, Colorectal, Breast, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Gastro esophageal junction, Ovary, Skin, Gallbladder, Multiple Myeloma, Acute Lymphoid Leukemia, Urinary Bladder, Prostate and Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Conclusion: Pattern of malignancies in valley is different from rest of the India. Gastrointestinal malignancies are the commonest malignancies in Kashmir valley followed by lung cancer in males and breast cancer in females.