Cancer prevalence among long-lived men according to data from the cancer registry in Lviv region (Ukraine) from 1991–2019

Aim: To analyze cancer cases among male long-lived in the Lviv region (Ukraine) during 1991–2019. Methods: Our retrospective study analyzed cancer cases among 312 males aged 90+ from the Lviv region (Ukraine) during 1991–2019 using data from the Cancer Registry of Lviv Oncologic Regional Treatment and Diagnostic Center. Results: Among 312 long-lived men, 25 types of cancer were diagnosed (median age 92.5 ± 2 years): skin cancer (30.77%), prostate cancer (19.87%), and stomach cancer (7.69%) were the most common. A higher proportion of cancer patients lived in urban areas (72.12%) compared to rural areas (27.88%), indicating better healthcare access in urban areas, which may contribute to better survival rates. A strong negative correlation was found between age and survival duration, with a Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) of −0.93. As age increases, the number of long-lived and the number of cancer diagnoses decreases, especially after age 93. Early-stage cancers (Stages 0 and I) showed significantly better survival outcomes, with 100% survival for 3–4 years in Stage 0, while Stage IV had a 78.13% mortality rate within one year, with no survivors beyond three years. For patients over 96, survival beyond one year is rare, indicating the need for a palliative care approach focused on symptom management rather than curative treatment. Conclusions: Future research should focus on improving early cancer detection for elderly patients, developing tailored treatments for aging individuals, and improving healthcare access for rural populations.