Lower lip cancer morbidity in three regions in South Bulgaria for a period of 15 years (1985-1999).
BACKGROUND
In most of the countries lower lip cancer in men varies from 1.0 case per 100 000 (in England) to 8.9 cases per 100 000 (in Hungary). We have set as a


OBJECTIVE
To follow the dynamics in lower lip cancer morbidity in three regions in South Bulgaria.


METHODS
A cohort study of lower lip cancer is performed for a period of 15 years.


RESULTS
In 1985 lower lip cancer morbidity for the three regions was 4.3 cases per 100 000 and in 1999 it was 3.49 cases per 100 000. Morbitdity retains a comparatively high level. In 1985 morbidity in men was 8.5 cases per 100 000 and in women it was 0.7 cases per 100 000. In 1999 the incidence of morbidity in men decreased to 4.9 cases per 100 000, while in women it increased to 2.1 cases per 100 000. The incidence of morbidity rises with age. The factor that most influences morbidity is smoking. A definite role plays also poor condition of the teeth (carious teeth, bad prostheses and crowns, dental calculus).


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of morbidity in lower lip cancer in men is 4 times as high as that in women.
Sarachev
E L
EL
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Higher Medical Institute, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Ananostev
N H
NH
D002031:Bulgaria / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008048:Lip Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D012727:Sex Characteristics