[The incidence of tumors of the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses in the district of Biella, 1970-1986].

The district of Biella in Piedmont (NW Italy) has one of the largest concentrations of the textile industry in Italy, traditionally manufacturing high quality wools. The present paper describes a survey of primitive cancers of the nasal fossae and paranasal sinuses diagnosed among residents of this area from 1970 to 1986. This study is a preliminary step in a case-control study aimed at investigating the association with occupational exposure in the textile industry. Seven cases were diagnosed in the 1970-75 period and 25 in the following ten years 1976-1986. The cut-off point corresponds to the year when the Hospital Admission and Discharge Registry became operative in Piedmont and Lombardy. The 1970-75 annual incidence rates (X 100,000, world standardized) were 0.5 both among males and females. Corresponding figures in 1976-86 were 1.2 and 0.2. Out of 32 cases, 16 were adenocarcinomas or adenoid-cystic carcinomas. Eleven cases are reported in the clinical record as wood or leather workers and seven as textile workers. Occupation was not reported for six cases. A case-control study is in progress.