[Incidence and mortality of malignant lymphomas in the GDR]

Based on data from the cancer register of the German Democratic Republic established in 1952 and on the official mortality statistics, incidence of and mortality from malignant lymphomas (ICD 200-203) in the GDR are analysed. Age-specific incidence and mortality of Hodgkin's disease show a peak in the age group of 25-30 years and rise steadily from 45 years on up to the highest age. Lymphosarcoma and reticulosarcoma increase slowly from infancy to old age, whereas multiple myeloma is a disease of the elderly and extremely rare before the age of 40. The apparent increase of malignant lymphoma may be due to underregistration at the beginning of the cancer register. In the past years mortality from Hodgkin's disease is slowly decreasing, thus reflecting progress in methods of treatment and results.