Eye cancer in adults in Uzbekistan, 1978-1998

Incidence rate, age-adjusted and standardized incidence and mortality of malignant eye tumours (METs) in Uzbekistan in 1978-1998 and professional, ethnic, environmental, and geographical factors which could influence it are analyzed. Before 1978, there was no information about patients with METs in Uzbekistan. We gathered 4872 primary new cases, of whom 79.7% (3882 patients) were treated in our department. All samples were statistically tested. Age-adjusted MET incidence has a peak in the 60-69 age subgroup. The highest incidence was in "non-local" ethnic group. Eyelid tumours occurred most frequently, followed by conjunctival, intraocular and orbital tumours. Urban and rural females had higher incidence than urban and rural males. For 10 years, standardized incidence has increased 2.3 and mortality 6.0 times. The highest incidence and mortality were in Karakalpakstan and Khorezm Wiloyat.