The occurrence of rare cancers in U.S. adults, 1995-2004

Robert T Greenlee; Marc T Goodman; Charles F Lynch; Charles E Platz; Lori A Havener; Holly L Howe

doi:10.1177/003335491012500106

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The occurrence of rare cancers in U.S. adults, 1995-2004

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

The occurrence of rare cancers in U.S. adults, 1995-2004

Robert T Greenlee, Marc T Goodman, Charles F Lynch, Charles E Platz, Lori A Havener and Holly L Howe

Public health reports (1974), Vol.125(1), pp.28-43

01/2010

DOI: 10.1177/003335491012500106

PMCID: PMC2789814

PMID: 20402194

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Abstract

Rare cancers have been traditionally understudied, reducing the progress of research and hindering decisions for patients, physicians, and policy makers. We evaluated the descriptive epidemiology of rare cancers using a large, representative, population-based dataset from cancer registries in the United States. We analyzed more than 9 million adult cancers diagnosed from 1995 to 2004 in 39 states and two metropolitan areas using the Cancer in North America (CINA) dataset, which covers approximately 80% of the U.S. population. We applied an accepted cancer classification scheme and a published definition of rare (i.e., fewer than 15 cases per 100,000 per year). We calculated age-adjusted incidence rates and rare/non-rare incidence rate ratios using SEER*Stat software, with analyses stratified by gender, age, race/ethnicity, and histology. Sixty of 71 cancer types were rare, accounting for 25% of all adult tumors. Rare cancers occurred with greater relative frequency among those who were younger, nonwhite, and of Hispanic ethnicity than among their older, white, or non-Hispanic counterparts. Collectively, rare tumors account for a sizable portion of adult cancers, and disproportionately affect some demographic groups. Maturing population-based cancer surveillance data can be an important source for research on rare cancers, potentially leading to a greater understanding of these cancers and eventually to improved treatment, control, and prevention.

United States - epidemiology

SEER Program

Age Distribution

Humans

Middle Aged

Rare Diseases - epidemiology

Male

Neoplasms - classification

Incidence

Young Adult

Neoplasms - ethnology

Aged, 80 and over

Adult

Female

Aged

Neoplasms - epidemiology

Databases, Factual

Details

Title: Subtitle: The occurrence of rare cancers in U.S. adults, 1995-2004
Creators: Robert T Greenlee - Epidemiology Research Center, Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, 1000 North Oak Ave., MS ML2, Marshfield, WI 54449, USA. greenlee.robert@mcrf.mfldclin.edu
Marc T Goodman
Charles F Lynch
Charles E Platz
Lori A Havener
Holly L Howe
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Public health reports (1974), Vol.125(1), pp.28-43
DOI: 10.1177/003335491012500106
PMID: 20402194
PMCID: PMC2789814
NLM abbreviation: Public Health Rep
ISSN: 0033-3549
eISSN: 1468-2877
Publisher: United States
Grant note: N01 PC035137 / NCI NIH HHS N01PC35143 / NCI NIH HHS N02-PC-35013-18 / NCI NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 01/2010
Academic Unit: Epidemiology; Pathology
Record Identifier: 9983995147202771

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