title: Epidemiology of ocular malignancies in Karachi.
abstract: The study was conducted with the objective of examining descriptive epidemiological characteristics of malignant ocular tumours in Karachi (1998-2002). The data for two hundred and forty two ocular malignancies registered at the Karachi Cancer Registry for Karachi Division during a 5-year period, from January 1(st) 1998 to December 31(st) 2002 were analysed. The age standardized incidence rate (ASIR) was 0.5/100,000 in males and 0.4/100,000 in females. The gender ratio (M:F) was 1.3. The mean age was 34.8 years (95% CI 30.1; 39.6) in males and 34.5 years (95% CI 28.0; 40.9) in females. A fourth of the malignancies were childhood tumours. The most common childhood malignancies were retinoblastomas and rhabdomyosarcomas, whereas the most common adult malignancies were conjunctival squamous cell carcinomas and melanomas. Approximately 97.0% of the tumours were histologically confirmed. The majority (62.5%) presented as low-grade (grade 1) lesions, and were localized to the eye (50%) at the time of diagnosis. The annual incidence rates remained stable during this period. The crucial importance of ocular malignancies is the high 5-year survival rates, associated disability following unilateral or bilateral enucleation and the implications as preventable components of  Cancer Control Programs  This article provides demographic statistics, which could be useful for the foundation, establishment and monitoring of a component of an effective cancer control program, the risk factors of ocular malignancies being well established. It is recommended that public health education to prevent ultraviolet light related ocular malignancies, information on preventative sun protection behavior, legislation for occupation related ocular cancers and genetic counseling for familial retinoblastoma should be essential primary components of all National Cancer Control Programs even in apparently low risk countries. In the long-term perspective, these efforts should further reduce the incidence - meanwhile stabilization of incidence rates could be achieved. Early detection and standardized treatment will reduce the associated morbidity and mortality.
authors.affiliation: Karachi Cancer Registry, Department of Pathology, Stadium Road, P.O. Box 3500, Karachi 74800, Pakistan. bhurgri@cyber.net.pk
authors.forename: Yasmin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bhurgri
authors.forename: Hadi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bhurgri
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Usman
authors.forename: Naveen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Faridi
authors.forename: Jawaid
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Malik
authors.forename: Rehan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Puri
authors.forename: Mehek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mirza
authors.forename: Asif
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhurgri
authors.forename: Rashida
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Suhail
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Muzaffar
authors.forename: Naila
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kayani
authors.forename: Shahid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pervez
authors.forename: Sheema H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Hasan
authors.forename: Akber Haider
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Soomro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology