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A descriptive study of cancers of the female genital tract (cervix, endometrium, ovary, labia, vulva and vagina) in the province of Ragusa (Sicily) was carried out using incidence and mortality data of the Ragusa Cancer Registry, covering the years 1981-1987. Corpus uteri was the most frequent site of cancer, followed by cervix utery and ovary; the highest mortality rates were exhibited by ovary cancer, whose survival at five years was 18.1 percent. A comparison of incidence and mortality rates with those observed by Italian and European registries shows that while in Ragusa rates for cancers of all sites were lower, female genital tract cancers, particularly of the uterus, were more frequent in Ragusa than in other Italian and European areas. In contrast with what has been reported by cancer registries of most developed countries, incidence of cervix cancer in Ragusa has apparently not decreased between 1981 and 1987, while mortality has increased.

Prevalence of HBV infection in Palermo was investigated in 1989, in comparison with similar data observed in 1982. Between September 1988 and April 1989, 1001 serum samples taken from healthy individuals or from patients with pathology unrelated to liver diseases, in the age groups 0 to 59 years, were collected. Prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HBc was, respectively, 2.7% and 24.3% in males, 2.3% and 19% in females. Prevalence was inversely related to socioeconomic level as defined by occupation, educational level and area of residence. Prevalence of HBV markers in 1989 was compared with that of a sample of sera taken in 1982 and stored at -20 degrees C. Prevalence was lower in 1989 for age groups under 20, while no difference was seen in older age groups.

The clinical data of 2 population-based registries, located in areas with different incidence rates of colorectal cancer, were used in order to assess the role of familial factors in the pathogenesis of these tumors. The occurrence of tumors in family members was investigated in 389 subjects with colorectal cancer registered in Modena (Northern Italy, an area characterized by a high incidence of colorectal malignancies) between 1984 and 1986; similar information was obtained in 213 patients with tumors of the large bowel registered in Ragusa (Sicily, Southern Italy, an area of similar magnitude and with low incidence rates for these tumors) in the 3-year period 1988 to 1990. In both series, colorectal cancer occurred significantly more often among relatives of patients. Controls were patients of the same sex and age (±5 years) hospitalized during the study periods, but not for gastrointestinal or neoplastic diseases. There were 89 cancer cases (3.1%) among 2,851 relatives of patients in Modena, vs. 17 cases among 1,744 relatives (1.0%) in Ragusa (p < 0.01). Apart from colorectal cancer, there was no excess of other types of tumors in patients' families (in both series). During the 3 years of registration, 17 cases of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC, or Lynch syndrome) were diagnosed in Modena; in contrast, this syndrome was more rare in Ragusa (one case only during 3 years of observation). Similarly, many more families with clinical suspicion of HNPCC were recorded in Northern regions (44 vs. 10). Although incidence rates of colorectal cancer are appreciably higher in Northern than in Southern Italian regions, the excess of this cancer type among close relatives is similar. However, fullblown HNPCC or suspected Lynch syndrome were significantly more frequent in Northern Italy. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

A case-control study on 133 consecutive incident cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer registered by Cancer Registry of Ragusa (Sicily) was carried out in order to evaluate the correspondence between risk factors observed in other geographic areas with those of a Latin country with a strong solar exposure. A multivariate analysis showed that family history of skin cancer, cancer-related cutaneous diseases, fair skin color, residence more than 400 meters above sea level, and prolonged solar exposure without protection, significantly and independently increase the risk of skin cancer. Ease of suntanning was an important protective factor. Solar exposure was a stronger risk factor for squamous cell than for basal cell cancer. The results of the study enable us to identify a high risk group of people to whom simple methods of protection against solar exposure may be suggested to reduce the risk of skin cancer.

Survival of 1747 patients with cancer of the stomach, colon/rectum, lung and female breast was investigated on incident cases registered by the Ragusa Cancer Registry, covering the Province of Ragusa (275,000 inhabitants) between 1981 and 1986. Cases known from the death certificate only were excluded. Date of death was obtained by a linkage with death certificates issued for Ragusa residents. Living status was assessed directly at the Registrar's Office. Analysis was performed also by sex, age group and presence of histologic verification. Relative survival at 5 years of Ragusa cancer cases was of the same order of magnitude as that observed in the U.S.A. (1980) and in Switzerland (1970-1980). However, the slight differences observed were mostly in favor of the Swiss and American patients. Sex did not significantly influence survival, but younger patients survived longer than older ones. Lack of histologic verification was associated with poor survival.

1810 serum samples obtained from 315 patients with various liver diseases, 44 with miscellaneous non-hepatic diseases and 1133 healthy subjects were assayed for Australia antigen by complement fixation (CF) and immunodiffusion (ID) tests.

A case-control study on breast, cervix and corpus uteri cancer cases registered in Ragusa between January 1, 1983 and June 30, 1985 has been conducted. Information on risk factors has been obtained by means of a structured questionnaire. Risk factors for breast cancer were: few pregnancies (1-2 vs greater than 4 OR 2.14, 95% CL 1.13-4.04), few children (for postmenopausal only, chi trend 4.84), previous breast disease (OR 1.97, 95% CL 1.20-3.23), family history (OR 3.57, 95% CL 1.92-6.63), alcohol (OR 1.68, 95% CL 1.12-2.53), high socioeconomical status (1 vs 4 OR 2.93, 95% CL 1.22-70.03). A protective role was evident for: early age at first birth (for premenopausal only, less than 20 vs greater than 20 OR 0.11, 95% CL 0.01-0.90), previous ovary disease (OR 0.26, 95% CL 0.08-0.88). Age at menarche, age at menopause, years of fertile life and breast feeding were not found to be related to breast cancer. A different distribution of risk factors among cases with and without family history has been suggested. A synoptic table shows the distribution of the most important risk factors of the three investigated female cancers in the Ragusa population, reported in the present and in an accompanying paper.

Prevalence of HBV infection markers and its association with some risk factors has been studied on hospital staff of the University Polyclinic of Palermo. The results show that male sex, job category (technicians, nurses, cleaners) and age are significantly associated with a higher prevalence of HBV infection markers; length of service and working in departments with a presumably higher exposure to blood did not result as a risk factor of higher prevalence of HBV infection when submitted to multiple regression logistic analysis. It is suggested that results of this study may be affected by the elevated spread of HBV infection in this area, and extra risk associated to hospital exposure is too small to be demonstrated.

A case-control study on breast, cervix and endometrium cancer cases registered in Ragusa between January 1, 1983 and June 30, 1985 has been conducted. Information on risk factors has been obtained by means of a structured questionnaire. Risk factors for endometrium cancer were: few children (1-2 vs greater than 4 OR 15.18, 95%CL 1.96-117.64), oestrogenic treatment (OR 2.20, 95%CL 1.05-4.90), obesity (Quetelet index greater than 30 vs less than 22 OR 10.42, 95%CL 1.30-83.86), family history (OR 2.87, 95% CL 1.05-7.83). Risk factors for cervix uteri cancer were: multiple abortions (greater than 2 vs 0 OR 9.87, 95%CL 1.46-66.66), no contraception (OR 8.33, 95%CL 2.38-25.00), younger age of mother at birth (OR 6.89, 95%CL 1.71-27.70). Age at menarche, age at menopause and years of fertile life were not found to be related to either endometrium or cervix uteri cancer. The existence of influencing differences (ancestry, environment, lifestyle) has been postulated.