[Incidence and mortality of malignant neoplasms of the urinary and male sexual organs in the GDR].

This is an analysis of the incidence and mortality of malignant neoplasms of the urinary system and the male sexual organs in the GDR. Age-specific as well as age-adjusted incidence and mortality rates are subjects of the analysis. It is concluded that there is no convincing evidence for the assumption of an increased cancer risk. The demographic structure of the population of the GDR has changed considerably and cancer incidence rises steeply with increasing age. After adjustment for changes in the age distribution, it seems probable that the observed increase in new cases is due to improvements in detection, diagnosis and management only. The thesis that there exists a true epidemic of urinary cancer is rejected.