Abstract
Between 1943 and 1982, 5,140 new cases of testicular cancer were diagnosed in Denmark. The age-standardized incidence rate more than doubled in the period. Striking variations is seen in the age-relationship over time with a four-fold increase in incidence for men aged 15-24 years while no increment was observed for those above 65 years of age. The increase with time in the risk could be accounted for by a cohort effect. The mortality rate did not parallel the incidence rate and a 50% decrease in mortality rate appeared in the period 1978-1982. Introduction of combination chemotherapy including cis-platinum is one of the main factors responsible for this beneficial development. The observed pattern of diverging trends in incidence and mortality of testicular cancer implies that mortality rates do not reflect the incidence and will accordingly be unsuited as a basis for aetiological considerations based on trends. The brisk increase in the risk of testicular cancer, especially among young men is in accordance with trends in other western countries, and prompts an enforced search for suspected or new risk factors.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 24 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $10.79 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ă˜sterlind, A. Diverging trends in incidence and mortality of testicular cancer in Denmark, 1943-1982. Br J Cancer 53, 501–505 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1986.79
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1986.79
This article is cited by
-
Ignorance but not bliss: too little is known about the determinants of semen quality
Asian Journal of Andrology (2013)
-
Risk-adapted management for patients with clinical stage I non-seminomatous germ cell tumour of the testis
Medical Oncology (2009)