Abstract
Cancer incidence data are generally presented in terms of primary site, but this method
is inappropriate for cancers in young persons. We have used a morphology-based classification
system to produce national incidence rates for cancers in persons aged 12–24 years
by detailed diagnostic sub-type. The overall incidence rates for malignant disease
in young persons aged 12–14, 15–19 and 20–24 years were 10.1, 14.4 and 22.6 per 100 000
population, respectively. The three most frequent cancer types in 12–14-year-olds
were leukaemias, lymphomas and central nervous system (CNS) tumours. In 15–19-year-olds,
lymphomas were most frequent and leukaemias second with carcinomas third. In 20–24-year-olds,
lymphomas were again most frequent, but carcinomas and germ cell tumours were second
and third. There was also variation with age in the ratios of rates in males and females.
These changing incidence patterns have aetiological implications and provide clues
for future hypothesis-based research.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
August 12,
2003
Received:
July 15,
2003
Identification
Copyright
© 2003 Published by Elsevier Inc.
