Summary Data from the Cancer Registries of the Swiss Cantons of Vaud and Neuchatel were analysed to examine possible associations between skin cancers (including basal cell carcinoma, BCC), non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) and chronic lymphocytic leukaemias (CLL). Between 1974 and 1993, 1767 cases of NHL, 351 of CLL, 1678 of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM), 4131 of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and 10 575 of BCC were registered, and contributed to a total of 120 103 person -years at risk. Following NHL, 36 cases of SCC were registered compared with 5.1 expected, corresponding to a standardised incidence ratio (SIR) of 7.0 (95% confidence interval, CI, 4.9-9.7); 37 cases of BCC were observed compared with 10.2 expected (SIR = 3.6; 95% CI 2.6-5.0). Following CLL, nine cases of SCC were observed compared with 1.8 expected (SIR=5.0; 95% CI 2.3-9.5) and nine cases of BCC were observed compared with 3.3 expected (SIR = 2.7; 95% CI 1.2-5.2). After SCC, 23 cases at NHL were observed compared with 9.0 expected (SIR=2.6; 95% CI 1.6-3.8); after BCC, 43 cases of NHL were registered compared with 22.5 expected (SIR= 1.9; 95% CI 1.4-2.6); and after CMM, four cases of NHL were observed compared with 2.0 expected (SIR=2.0). No significant excess of CLL was recorded following skin cancer, but the absolute numbers were small and the SIR was above unity. The findings of this study, conducted in populations with a high level of ascertainment and registration of skin cancers, confirm an excess of skin cancers including BCC, following NHL and CLL, and an excess of NHL following skin cancers. This may be related to shared aetiological factors such as U.V. radiation and associated immunosuppression. Individual-based data on the relationship between U.V. exposure and lymphoid neoplasms are needed to clarify the issue.

States, incidence rates of squamous cell and small cell carcinoma have been showCarlo La Vecchia, M.D. 3 ing a decline in males, after peaks in 1981-82 and 1986-87, respectively incidence increased in both genders by approximately 2.5-fold; and during the period 1990-1994, in young adults of both genders, it was more than 3-fold higher than the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma. At variance with squamous cell carcinoma, the incidence of which reached its peaks in the 1910-20 birth cohorts in males and in the 1930-40 birth cohorts in females, adenocarcinoma revealed a similar birth cohort pattern in the two genders, with still no sign of decline. CONCLUSIONS.Although changes in diagnostic practices may have played a role, the incidence data presented in this study suggest that adenocarcinoma is sustaining a new lung carcinoma epidemic, chiefly attributable to the switch to lowtar, filtered cigarettes. Its pattern seems remarkably similar in the two genders.Thus, the authors conclude that similar exposure to tobacco-related carcinogens leads to similar rates of histologic type-specific lung carcinoma incidence in males and females.

This analysis confirms the existence of a modest excess in several neoplasms occurring after breast cancer. The substantial excess of STS confirms the strong association between irradiation and STS.

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In Vaud, Switzerland, the incidence of carcinoids based on 218 malignant and 215 benign cases rose from 19.6/106in 1974–85 to 28.2/106in 1986–97, more so among males and malignant neoplasms. Lung was the commonest site for malignant and large intestine for benign carcinoids. Sixty-eight (16%) carcinoids had another neoplasm. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaign