Childhood cancer in the province of Florence, 1985-89. Features of epidemiology and health migration

In the Province of Florence, Central Italy, where a population-based cancer registry is active since 1984, 118 new primary cancers have been diagnosed in the period 1985-89 inpatients younger than 15 years. Standardized (Italian population 1981) incidence rate was 143.1 (per 1000000); age and sex specific rates are presented. Cases have been reclassified by age and sex, in agreement with the classification of Birch and Marsden. Mortality rate was 53.6 (per 1000000). The observed survival 5 years after diagnosis was 75%. A special effort has been carried out, with the collaboration of several Centers of the AIEOP, to evaluate the amount of migration to specialized hospital out of the Province of Florence to receive diagnosis and/or treatment. During childhood the migration occurred both earlier and more frequently than during the adulthood.