Incidence and Temporal Variations of Bone and Soft Tissue Cancers in the Golestan Province, Northern Iran, 2004–2016

 This study was conducted to evaluate the epidemiological features of bone and soft cancers in the Golestan province, Northern Iran from 2004 to 2016.

 This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. All patients with primary bone and soft tissue cancers between 2004 and 2016 were included. Data were obtained from Golestan population-based cancer registry (GPCR). We calculated age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) and reported the rates per 100000 person-year. Estimated annual percent change (EAPC) was also calculated to assess temporal trends in incidence rates of these cancers.

 The ASRs of bone cancers and soft tissue cancers were 1.33 and 1.43 per 100000 person-year, respectively. This study also showed that the ASR of bone cancer was higher in men (1.51) than women (1.15). The ASR of soft tissue cancers in the urban population (1.58) was higher than rural (1.27), and was lower in women (1.37) than men (1.49). Two peaks were seen in the incidence of bone cancer. The first peak was in the age group of 10 to 20 years and the second was in patients over 60. We did not find significant temporal trends in the incidence of bone (EAPC=-1.14; P>0.05) and soft tissue cancers (EAPC=-2.73; P>0.05) during the study period.

 Epidemiological features of bone and soft tissue cancers including gender, age and place of residence should be considered by health policy makers in designing cancer control programs.