[Comparative epidemiologic study of mortality caused by leukemia in Spain and the U.S.A. (1951-1983)]

A study of the mortality due to leukaemias in Spain between 1951 and 1983 was performed. A clearly increasing trend was appreciated, with progressive higher affectation of males in the last four years, the mortality rates being constantly higher for this sex. When cytological types of the leukaemias, sex, and the different age groups were taken into account, and after comparing these findings with data reported from the United States of America, it was found that our mortality rates are in general much lower than those of the USA. Although the clinical course of the disease is similar for both countries as regards the four major groups of leukaemias, a striking increase of mortality in childhood (5-9 years) was found here in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, which suggests, in accordance with our previous reports, high affectation of children in Spain. It seems advisable to improve the techniques and means of treating and preventing complications, especially infectious ones, in childhood.