Subsequent malignancies among long-term survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a pooled analysis of German cancer registry data (1990-2012).

The increased risk of subsequent primary malignancies (SPM) in survivors of adult-onset Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) remains a challenging clinical problem worldwide. The German cancer registry database, pooled from 14 federal states, was used to calculate the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) and excess absolute risk (EAR) of SPM in 128 587 patients registered with first primary HL/NHL between 1990 and 2012. Conversely, SIRs were also calculated for a subsequent HL/NHL following other first cancers. The risk of developing SPM was significantly increased over twofold for HL survivors (SIR = 2·14, EAR = 51·87 cases/10 000 person-years) and 1·5-fold for NHL survivors (SIR = 1·48, EAR = 55·23) compared with the general German population. For solid cancers, SIRs were significantly elevated (1·6- and 1·4-fold; respectively) and were highest (threefold) in patients below 30 years of age upon initial diagnosis. Overall, SIRs were consistently elevated for lip/oral cavity, colon/rectum, lung, skin melanoma, breast, kidney and thyroid. Significantly increased SIRs for oesophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, testis, prostate, and brain/central nervous system were observed following NHL only. For certain SPM, SIRs remained significantly elevated more than 10 years following HL/NHL diagnosis. Positive reciprocal associations were demonstrated between HL/NHL and several solid cancers mentioned above; for some, common aetiological mechanisms seem plausible.

German cancer statistics 2004.

BACKGROUND: For years the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) has been annually pooling and reviewing the data from the German population-based cancer registries and evaluating them together with the cause-of-death statistics provided by the statistical offices. Traditionally, the RKI periodically estimates the number of new cancer cases in Germany on the basis of the available data from the regional cancer registries in which registration is complete; this figure, in turn, forms the basis for further important indicators. METHODS: This article gives a brief overview of current indicators - such as incidence, prevalence, mortality, survival rates - on the most common types of cancer, as well as important ratios on the risks of developing and dying of cancer in Germany. RESULTS: According to the latest estimate, there were a total of 436,500 new cancer cases in Germany in 2004. The most common cancer in men is prostate cancer with over 58,000 new cases per annum, followed by colorectal and lung cancer. In women, breast cancer remains the most common cancer with an estimated 57,000 new cases every year, also followed by colorectal cancer. These and further findings on selected cancer sites can be found in the current brochure on "Cancer in Germany", which is regularly published by the RKI together with the Association of Population-based Cancer Registries in Germany (GEKID). In addition, the RKI made cancer-prevalence estimates and calculated current morbidity and mortality risks at the federal level for the first time. According to these figures, the 5-year partial prevalence - i.e. the total number of cancer patients diagnosed over the past five years who are currently still living - exceeds 600,000 in men; the figure is about the same among women. Here, too, the most common cancers are prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women. The lifetime risk of developing cancer, which is more related to the individual, is estimated to be higher among men (48.5%) than among women (40.3%). In roughly rounded figures, therefore, about every second person in Germany develops cancer in the course of their lives. One in four men and one in five women die of cancer. CONCLUSIONS: In recent years, population-based cancer registration in Germany has come significantly closer to the aim of the complete, nationwide coverage of cancer. The continuous improvements in the data situation help describe cancer development in Germany.

Time trends in incidence and mortality of respiratory diseases of high public health relevance in Germany.

Respiratory diseases are major causes of disease burden and mortality throughout the world. In Germany, alongside acute respiratory infections (ARI), chronic lung diseases - including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma - are of particular socioeconomic importance. ARI incidence rates differ significantly according to age, season and year. They are recorded as weekly consultation rates as reported by selected outpatient and inpatient care facilities. Between 2009 and 2016, the highest incidence rates of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) were recorded among young children in outpatient (9.4%) and inpatient (0.2%) care. Mortality rates for ARI are also subject to seasonal and annual fluctuations. However, the official statistics on causes of death, which lead to estimates of more than 17,000 annual deaths, provide an inadequate measure of death rates because chronic underlying illnesses are often recorded as the cause of death rather than a more recently acquired acute infection. Therefore, the excess mortality caused by ARI needs to be assessed in the context of influenza outbreaks. Regarding lung cancer, COPD and asthma, the long-term time trends in disease incidence and mortality rates are of particular interest from a health policy perspective. Analyses of data from the official statistics on causes of death for the years 1998 through 2015 show that mortality rates for lung cancer and COPD decreased on average by 1.8% and 1.1% per year respectively, among men, whereas among women they increased by 2.5% (lung cancer) and 2.3% (COPD) annually. Nevertheless, more men than women died of lung cancer or COPD in 2015 in Germany: 29,378 men and 15,881 women died from lung cancer, and 17,300 men and 13,773 women died from COPD. During the same period, the asthma mortality rates decreased on average by 8.3% annually among women and by 11.2% annually among men, and the absolute number of deaths came down to 659 among women and 393 among men. Lung cancer incidence rates have been at similar levels as lung cancer death rates since 1998. No such data are available on time trends in COPD or asthma incidence rates. Coordinated surveillance of respiratory diseases needs to be expanded within the framework of international action plans for disease prevention.