[Geographic differences in mortality from digestive tumors in Spain, 1980-1984]

The purpose of this study is to analyze the geographical distribution of eight gastrointestinal (GI) cancer sites in Spain, during the 1980-1984 period. Data for deaths attributed to each cancer site were obtained from Spain's National Institute for Statistics (INE). Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMR) were calculated for each GI cancer site, using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 9th revision. Statistical tests were performed to determine whether SMR's were statistically significant. The mortality distribution for cancers of the oropharynx and oesophagus showed a similar pattern, which might suggest some common risk factor in their etiology. Stomach cancer presented high SMR's in the northern central areas (Meseta). Colon, rectum and pancreas cancer sites emerged with irregular patterns though high SMR's were more often observed in developed areas within the country.