title: Incidence of primary liver cancer in Singapore, 1968-1982.
abstract: Based on data collected by the population-based Singapore Cancer Registry over the period 1968 to 1982, baseline epidemiological characteristics and incidence trends of primary liver cancer were described. This will facilitate the interpretation of future trends, especially in the light of new interventions such as hepatitis B immunisation. The primary liver cancer incidence is four times higher in males than in females, with the incidence peaked in the seventh decade. The incidence rate was higher in the Chinese than in Malays and Indians and marginally higher among foreign born than Singapore born Chinese. A general declining trend in liver cancer incidence was especially notable in the local born Chinese. Misclassification of metastatic carcinomas in the earlier years of cancer registration may have contributed to the initial higher incidence. Definitive decrease in incidence as a result of hepatitis immunisation will only be seen in another two to three decades.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community, Occupational & Family Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Chia
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D008296:Malaysia / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012846:Singapore