Increasing trend in the incidence of cervical cancer among the elderly in Korea: a population-based study from 1993 to 2002.
Cancer is primarily a disease of older adults. However, little data is available on the clinical features of cervical cancer in elderly patients. We investigated the trends in incidence and clinical features associated with cervical cancer among the elderly in Korea during the period of 1993-2002. We obtained data from the National Cervical Cancer Incidence Database, which was constructed in collaboration with the Korea Central Cancer Registry (KCCR) and Korea Gynecologic Cancer Registry (KGCR). A total of 44 191 women with cervical cancer were diagnosed between 1993 and 2002. Patients were divided into three groups based on age: </=49 years (Group 1), 50-69 years (Group 2), and>/=70 years (Group 3). During this period, upward incidence trends were noted in Group 3 while constant and downward incidence trends were noted in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Pooled analysis across years revealed that squamous cell carcinoma and advanced stage (IIB, III, and IV) were more common in Group 3 than in Groups 1 and 2. With regard to primary treatments in the elderly patients, surgery appeared to be performed increasingly despite the fact that advanced stage (IIB, III, and IV) was more common in Group 3 than in Groups 1 and 2. Our findings suggest that the incidence of cervical cancer in the elderly is increasing in Korea, while it is decreasing overall. The current health service must emphasize education for the elderly about cervical cancer prevention while concentrating on screening.
Jo
Hoenil
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
Jeon
Yong Tark
YT
Hwang
Soon Young
SY
Shin
Hai-Rim
HR
Song
Yong Sang
YS
Kang
Soon Beom
SB
Lee
Hyo Pyo
HP
Kim
Jae Weon
JW
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery