Cancer patterns in Karachi (all districts), Pakistan: First results (2010–2015) from a Pathology based cancer registry of the largest government-run diagnostic and reference center of Karachi. (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qureshi, Muhammad Asif; Mirza, Talat; Khan, Saeed; Sikandar, Bushra; Zahid, Maria; Aftab, Marium; Mohsin, Sehrish; Sharafat, Shaheen; Avesi, Lubna; Hassan, Saba
• Is Part Of: Cancer epidemiology. Volume 44(2016:Oct.)
• Page Start: 114
• Page End: 122
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: Cancer registry -- Cancer patterns -- Karachi -- Pakistan -- Cancer incidence; Cancer -- Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Diagnosis -- Periodicals; Carcinogenesis -- Periodicals; 616.994005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2016.08.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1877-7821

Abstract

Highlights: National level population-based cancer data have never been published from Pakistan since independence (1947). We report, for the first time, five-year (2010–2015) cancer data representing all districts of Karachi (14.6 million). In males, cancer of lip and oral cavity, skin, colorectum are the most common cancers in Karachi. In females, cancer of breast, lip and oral cavity and oesophagus are the most common cancers Karachi. Alarmingly, ASR of many tobacco-associated cancers in Karachi is the highest compared to any of the Asian populations. Abstract: National level population-based cancer data have never been published from Pakistan in seven decades since independence (1947). Therefore, generation of high-quality regional data becomes highly relevant. Cancer data for the period of 2010–2015 representing the population from all districts of Karachi (14.6 million) are presented herein. After institutional approval (Ref no. IRB-459/DUHS/-14), a Pathology based cancer registry was established at the largest government-run diagnostic and reference center of Karachi. During 2010–2015, a total of 13, 508 cancers (including 686 non-melanoma-skin-cancers (NMSC)) were diagnosed. Of these, 5665 (41.9%) were in males while 7843 (58.1%) were in females. Incidence rates for all cancers (excluding NMSC) were 66.7 per 100, 000 (crude) and 105.1 per 100, 000 (ASR) for males and 112.0 per 100, 000 (crude) and 175.8 per 100, 000 (ASR) for females. In males, cancer of lip and oral cavity was the most frequently diagnosed cancer (30.8%, ASR 33.1), followed by NMSC (7.7%, ASR 9.5) and colorectum (7%, ASR 7.3). In females, breast cancer was the most frequently recorded malignancy (49.5%, ASR 87.9), followed by lip and oral cavity (11.2%, ASR 22.0) and oesophagus (5.6%, ASR 10.7). We report that Karachi has the highest incidence of cancers of breast, lip and oral cavity, oesophagus and larynx in females and cancer of lip and oral cavity and larynx (2nd only to Turkey) in males compared to any of the Asian populations. Notably, incidence of tobacco associated cancers is very high in Karachi, demanding urgent attention by relevant authorities to address the un-controlled and drastically high consumption of various forms of tobacco in the city.