[Analysis of the geographic distribution of mortality in Italy caused by tumors of the respiratory system].

This paper describes the geographical distribution of respiratory cancers in Italy during the period 1970-87. We analysed mortality rates for cancers of the larynx, of the lung, of the paranasal sinuses, and of the pleura in the 95 Italian provinces. For all considered sites, Northern Italy showed the highest levels of mortality. Only Rome and Naples, the most urbanized provinces in the Central and Southern Italy respectively, presented mortality rates comparable to the Northern provinces, particularly in the early 1970's. The geographical distribution of mortality for all considered sites appears to be consistent between the two sexes. For lung cancer, however, the difference between the North and the rest of the country during the considered period decreased in men but steadily increased in women.