Health Consultation: Childhood Cancer Incidence Update: A Review and Analysis of Cancer Registry Data, 2001-2003 for Township of Toms River, Ocean County, New Jersey

摘要

In response to community concerns in the Township of Toms River (formerly named Dover Township), the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) and the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) have investigated the incidence of childhood cancers. Following a series of incidence analyses and a case-control epidemiologic study of environmental risk factors, the NJDHSS and ATSDR recommended continued surveillance of childhood cancer in the community. The current report provides an update of childhood cancer incidence in Toms River (and in a smaller four census tract area) for the period 2001-2005, and examines the trend in childhood cancer incidence over the period 1979-2005. In 2001-2005, there were 26 cases of cancer among children in the Township of Toms River, with about two-thirds of the cases occurring in the final two years. In the Township, the most frequently diagnosed cancers over this time were brain/CNS cancers (6), leukemias (4), and soft tissue sarcomas (4). Total cancer incidence in female children was higher than expected, although the difference was not statistically significant; total cancer incidence in male children was similar to expected. Total leukemia incidence was lower than expected for both males and females. Brain/CNS cancer incidence in males was higher than expected, although not statistically significant, while brain/CNS cancer incidence in Township females was similar to expected. Soft tissue sarcoma in females was the only statistically significant elevation (4 observed cases, 0.7 expected); there were no cases of soft tissue sarcoma diagnosed in Township males. The overall incidence of cancer in children under age five years in the Township was lower than expected for both males and females, including no cases of childhood leukemia. In the smaller sub-Township area, five cases were reported in the period 2001-2005, with all occurring in the final two years. Overall cancer incidence was similar to expected for both males and females. There were three cases of soft tissue sarcomas in females, which was statistically significantly higher than expected.