Cancer incidence in Sarajevo region

In public, we often see that there are claims about enormous increase in the incidence of cancer. Due to the war 1992-1995 and specific war and post-war situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina it might be possible to notice some differences in the number, type, advancement, biological course, treatment and its outcome. The actual situation which appeared in connection to depleated uranium has additionally raised questions about its influence on human health and about eventual increase in the number of malignant diseases in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As Bosnia and Herzegovina does not have a proper population based cancer register, the aim of this study was to collect and analyze data on population with malignant tumors in the region of Sarajevo, which represents a symbol of difficult times in our country in the recent past.

Crude incidence of different types of malignant tumors has been calculated in population of Sarajevo Canton during 7-year period, from 01.01.1998. until 31.12.2004. according years observed, gender and localizations of the disease. Data were compared to regional and world indicators, and were observed in the light of specific local situation.

During period of 7 years (1998 - 2004) mostly registered tumors were: lung cancer, amelanotic skin tumors, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, cervical and uterine cancer, urinary bladder cancer, prostate cancer and cancer of larynx. The incidence of the most common tumors (lung and breast cancer) is similar to those existing in other countries of South-East Europe. Significant differences in the incidence among both genders in the total period observed have been registered in cases of laryngeal cancer, urinary bladder cancer, bone and cartilage sarcoma, brain tumors and malignant lymphomas. The incidence of liver and thyroid tumors in the post-war period id reaching expected numbers. Cervical cancer has extremely high incidence and is high up on the incidence list, which correlates with data in developing countries.