Original scientific paper
Comparison of Occurrence of Upper Urinary Tract Carcinomas in the Region with Endemic Villages and Non-Endemic Nephropathy Region in Croatia
Mladen Belicza
Alma Demirović
Karla Tomić
Tanja Lenišek
Ivana Pavić
Krunoslav Jakovina
Mato Vukelić
Tratinčica Jakovina
Maja Mišić
Božo Krušlin
Abstract
Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) is a chronic tubulointerstitial renal disease of a still unknown etiology, associated
with an increased frequency of urothelial carcinoma, particularly of the upper urinary tract (UUT). The aim of the
study was to compare the occurrence of UUT carcinomas between Brodsko-Posavska Region (BPR) which is the region
with endemic villages and the non-endemic region of Zagreb (ZG) in two six-year periods with a 20 year period separating
the two, pointing out a possible difference in occurrence regarding war in Croatia (1991–1995). Comparing BPR and
ZG regions we found a more then 5 times higher frequency of UUT carcinomas in BPR in the first period and more than
4.5 times higher frequency in the second period. Women in BPR were more frequently affected with UUT carcinomas
then men.
Keywords
Balkan endemic nephropathy; urothelial carcinoma of renal pelvis and ureter; renal cell carcinoma
Hrčak ID:
34306
URI
Publication date:
1.12.2008.
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