Epidemiologic and Socioeconomic Status of Bladder Cancer in Mazandaran province, Northern Iran

Background: Bladder cancer is one the most common malignancies of the genitourinary tract. The presentstudy aimed to assess the epidemiology, of bladder cancer in Mazandaran, a large province in northern Iranas high-incidence cancer area, during a 2-year period.
Methods: The data for this study were obtained fromthe population-based cancer registry of the Vice-Chancellory for Health Affairs of Mazandaran University ofMedical Sciences and Mazandaran hospitals between March 1, 2010 and March 1, 2011. Demographic data,including sex, age, residency and symptoms were investigated through careful review of medical records. Usinga questionnaire protocol, several variables were assessed for these cases such as smoking, history of opium,vegetable consumption habits, and history of other cancers.
Results: A total of 112 cases were analyzed, 98 (87.5%)in men and 14 (12.5%) in women (mean age of 68.0±14.6 years). Urban and rural residence were 60.7% and39.3%. Tobacco and opium use were found in 45.5% and 21.4% of patients, respectively. Approximately 60%consumed vegetables an average of fewer than one time per day. Hematuria was the first symptom in these caseswhich were mainly diagnosed as having bladder cancer by ultrasonography.
Conclusion: The results showedthat bladder cancer tends to be found in the elderly and the male to female ratio is high. Macroscopic hematuriais a very important symptom for indicating probably urothelial tumor that should be followed up patients withtransabdominal ultrasonography as a routine modality.