Leukemia in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia: A population-based study (1987-1988)

This is the first population-based data in Saudi Arabia on the incidence of leukemias in the Eastern Region, as conducted by its regional tumor registry. Data on cancer were captured from all health facilities in the region in 1987-1988. Population census was derived from a survey. Data on cancer deaths were obtained from all death registries. Crude, age-specific, age-standardized, and relative age-standardized incidence rates were used as indicators for the incidence of leukemia. There were 124 cases of leukemias registered. The yearly average crude incidence rate was 5.2 and 3.6 per 100,000 for Saudi males and females, respectively. The age-standardized incidence rate was 7.3 and 6.1 per 100,000 per year in Saudi males and females respectively. The relative age-standardized incidence of leukemias in Saudi males and females ranked, respectively, third and second highest on the international scale. Death from leukemia among Saudis was responsible for 8.9% of the total deaths from cancer. Statistical indicators point to a high incidence rate of leukemias in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia among Saudis. Leukemia was the third leading cause of death from cancer. The relative age-standardized rate of leukemias among Saudis of either gender rank very high on the international scale.