Incidence of malignancy in Bankura (a retrospective study)

A retrospective study on pattern of malignant lesions in a rural district of West Bengal from 1981-1990 was conducted in the department of pathology, BS Medical College, Bankura, West Bengal. A total number of 17,130 cases were received out of which 1976 were malignant lesions (11.53%). The peak incidence of cancer in both sexes was found between the 4th, 5th and 6th decades, ie, 31-60 years of age. Sex-wise distribution showed more incidence in female (1246-62.17%) than in male (730-37.83%). Cancer of the cervix (35.62%) showed the highest incidence in this series. Cancer of the larynx (11.94%) was the commonest cancer in males. Malignancy of the lymph node was observed in 11.43% cases. Malignancy of the lungs and vagina (< 0.5%) showed very low incidence.