Cancer in Cameroon: a relative frequency study

Some 1,390 male and 1,418 female cancer cases examined histologically in Cameroon--1969-1973--were analysed. The relatively most frequent cancers were: Males: skin 30%, malignant lymphomas 13%, primary liver cancer 11%. Females: skin 20%, uterine cervix 16%, breast 10%. Kaposi's sarcoma comprised 31% of all male skin cancer with a high male-female ratio (157/14). Tumours of the lung and intestinal tract were rare. Ethnic differences were noted with regard to cancer of the liver, skin, buccal cavity, lung and bladder. Possible sources of bias are discussed.