Regional differences in incidence of malignant mesothelioma in Denmark

The incidence of malignant mesothelioma (MM) in Denmark has been rising rapidly since the 1950s. The aim of this study was to determine temporal developments of MM incidence and survival in Denmark as a whole and in the individual regions.

Data from the Danish Cancer Registry were used. Cases of MM of the pleura, peritoneum and pericardium occurring in the 1943-2009 period were included. National and regional incidence rates were calculated, age-standardised and stratified by various variables. Survival was calculated using Kaplan Meier plot.

The total national incidence of MM for men has been rising throughout the period and reached its maximum of 1.76 in 2008-2009. For women, the incidence rate has remained relatively steady, with a maximum of 0.5 in 1973-1977. Since the late 1980s, the Region of Northern Jutland has had the highest male incidence rate. The difference in relative risk for men in the Region of Southern Denmark and the Region of Northern Jutland was 1.53 in 2008-2009, and the relative risk of developing MM in the Region of Northern Jutland for the entire period collectively compared with Denmark as a whole was 1.38. No notable regional difference exists for women. Survival has improved for both men and women, but remains poor with a median survival of 12.5 months for men and 13.3 months for women in 2008-2009.

The national MM incidence for men continues to increase, perhaps showing a slight tendency towards deceleration in the most recent decade. A clear long-term effect of the Danish asbestos ban has not yet occurred.

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not relevant.