title: Incidence, and gender, age and ethnic distribution of sarcomas in the republic of suriname from 1980 to 2008.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We report on the incidence and the gender, age, and ethnic distribution of sarcomas diagnosed between 1980 and 2008 in the multi-ethnic Republic of Suriname.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total and average yearly number of cases, crude rates, as well as relevant population data were derived from the records of the Pathologic Anatomy Laboratory and the General Bureau of Statistics, respectively, and stratified according to gender, age groups 0-19, 20-49 and 50+ years, and the largest ethnic groups (Hindustani, Creole, Javanese and Maroons).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between 1980 and 2008, 258 sarcomas were diagnosed in Suriname, ie at a frequency of nine per year and an annual rate of two per 100 000. Overall, there was 0.9 male per female, two to four cases per year in each age group, and one to three patients in each ethnic group. Soft-tissue sarcomas comprised approximately 80% of overall cases, with a male/female ratio that was approximately 0.5; almost 90% of patients were older than 20 years; more than one-third was Creole. Leiomyosarcoma, fibrosarcoma and liposarcoma were most frequently encountered (90 cases), particularly above 20 years of age, while leiomyosarcomas seemed, additionally, more common in women and Creoles or Maroons. The most numerous bone tumours were primitive neuroectodermal tumour/Ewing tumour and osteosarcoma (37 cases). They were more common in males, the youngest age group, and Hindustanis and Creoles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of sarcomas in Suriname, and their gender, age and ethnic distribution in general, seemed comparable with international data. The main exception might be leiomyosarcoma which might have a predilection for Afro-Surinamese.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Paramaribo, Suriname. d.mans@uvs.edu.
authors.forename: D Ra
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Mans
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Paramaribo, Suriname.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Budhu Lall
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Paramaribo, Suriname.
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Macnack
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Paramaribo, Suriname.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: van Tholl
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Paramaribo, Suriname.
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Zandveld
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Paramaribo, Suriname.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Vrede