Some facts about leukemia in Malta

Abstract

This analytical study of the records available of all reported cases of leukemia during the period January, 1966 to December, 1969 aims at pointing out the inter-relationship between type, age, sex, month and year incidence. The frequency of occurrence of the main types of leukemia and the relationship between the age and the type of leukemia are presented. An important feature shows that in this four-year period there was one of each of the following types: Stem cell leukemia, megakaryocytic leukemia and plasma cell leukemia. With regards to sex distribution, it is interesting to note that the ratio of incidence is approximately twice as high in males as in females. This report is limited to a short period and the number of cases is few. There is, however, an increasing incidence of leukemia in Malta as elsewhere. A more detailed study is indicated; this should possibly be inclusive of all reported cases of malignant disease of the blood-forming tissues.