Epidemiology and Trend of Incidence of the Leukemia in Iran

Leukemia makes up about 8% of all cancers. Understanding the epidemiology of leukemia is very effective in planning for this cancer. According to lack of information in the field, the present study aimed to investigate the epidemiology and trend of incidence of leukemia in Iran during 2003 to 2010. This cross-sectional study was conducted using the analysis data from the Iranian National Cancer Registration System and Disease Management Center, Ministry of Health and Medical Education during the years 2003 to 2010. The incidence rates were calculated by age and gender and the trend of incidence of the disease by sex during this period was achieved. Evaluation of cancer registration data in the years 2003 to 2010 showed the ascending trend of leukemia in Iran. 21814 cases of leukemia were recorded in the whole country that increased from 1734 cases in 2003 to 3461 cases in 2010. The highest and the lowest incidence in women and men were reported in years 2009 and 2003, respectively. In the provinces of country, the highest reported incidence in women was in Yazd and the lowest incidence was in Semnan, Kermanshah, Qom and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad; and for men, the highest incidence was in Yazd and the lowest incidence was in Zanjan, North and South Khorasan, Semnan, Ardebil and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad. The sex ratio of male to female was 1.64. Based on the results, the incidence of leukemia in Iran is rising. Although a proportion of this increase may be due to improvements in cancer registration system but the probability of increase of incidence of leukemia exists because of the associated risk factors. Thus, the identification of the risk factors in different regions of Iran to prevent and to detect the disease at an early stage in recommended for disease control.