Genital-Tract Cancers in Adolescents and Young Adults

In a review of the California Tumor Registry from 1950-1969, which records 1/3 of all cancer cases in California, there was an increase in the number of cancers of the vagina, corpus uteri, prostate, testis, and bladder (male) for the 10-19 year old age group. There was no increase in cancers of the vulva, ovary, cervix, breast, stomach, colon, rectum, and bladder (female). However, for the 20-24 year old age group, cancer of the vulva and testis increased from 1962-1969. The increases are compatible with other observations which indicate a possible association between stilbesterol and other cervical sites besides the vagina. There is a need for cancer surveillance to determine disease patterns and stimulate examination of existing data.