[Epidemiological analysis of mortality caused by solid tumors in the Metropolitan Region, Chile, 1999].
BACKGROUND
Chronic diseases are the leading cause of mortality in Chile and, among these, tumors are the second most frequent cause of death. The lOngest number of deaths occur in the Metropolitan Region.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the rates of mortality caused by solid tumors in the Metropolitan Region.


METHODS
Analysis of deaths that occurred in 1999 in the Metropolitan Region. Data from death certificates, gathered by the Ministry of Health, were used. Crude mortality rates and Potential Years of Life Lost (PYLL) caused by solid tumors were calculated.


RESULTS
Among men, gastric cancer accounts for the higher rate of mortality, followed by lung cancer. Among women, gallbladder cancer is the most frequent cause of death, followed by breast cancer. Gastric cancer also accounts for the higher amount of PYLL among men, but among women, breast cancer outweighs gallbladder cancer in this parameter.


CONCLUSIONS
Gastric cancer continues to be an important cause of mortality in Chile and there is a worrysome increase in the mortality caused by gallbladder cancer.
Szot
Jorge
J
Departamento de Epidemiología, División de Rectoría y Regulación Sanitaria, Ministerio de Salud de Chile. jszot@minsal.gov.cl
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002423:Cause of Death; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D003644:Death Certificates; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality*