[Geographic distribution of digestive system tumor mortality in Italy, 1970-87]

The geographical distribution of mortality rates from tumours of digestive tract in Italy is analyzed in this paper. The analysis is based on official mortality data collected by the National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT). Age-adjusted mortality rates for stomach cancer presented the highest values in some provinces of the North and the Center, and the lowest values in the South of Italy. A same geographical pattern was observed for men and women, and during the whole considered period. Colorectal cancer presented the highest rates in the North-West of the country, and in some provinces of Liguria and Tuscany. The lowes rates were observed in the South, particularly in Calabria and Sicily. Mortality for this cancer was positively associated with degree of urbanization. The geographical pattern remained fairly constant in time, but the North-South differences narrowed during the years 1980s. A similar geographical distribution, characterized by the highest mortality levels in the north-eastern regions of Italy, was observed for cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx, of the oesophagus, of the pancreas, and for male tumours of the liver. Female liver cancer presented, on the contrary, the highest mortality levels in the southern regions.