Male skin cancer incidence in Golestan province, Iran.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate province-specific estimates of incidence in males by age groups for skin cancer in the Golestan province, Iran. METHODS Data was collected from a cancer registry that was conducted by Health Deputy of Golestan province for a period of one year (2004). Age-specific rate and age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) were determined. Age-specific rate and age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) of skin cancer was compared with Mazanderan province and Iran. The age distribution was collected according to the following age strata: 0-4, 5-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84 and 85 above. Skin cancer data was identified and collected through 18 Pathology Laboratory centers, where the cases had been referred in the Golestan province. RESULTS A total of 409 primary cancer cases were captured. From these 64 cases were skin cancer. ASR skin cancer incidence among males in Golestan province was: 13.23/100000. But skin cancer with the highest ASR (ASR: 161.90/100,000) among males were in the age group 80-84 years. The lowest incidence was in age 30-34 years. (ASR: 1.88/100,000). CONCLUSION The incidence of skin cancer in Golestan Province is rising especially in the age group 80-84 years. It is the highest incidence reported in the world.