Childhood cancer in the Denver metropolitan area 1976-1983.

Incidence rates for childhood cancers (ages 0-14 years) were produced for the Denver Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area for the period 1976-1983. Some unique features of the Denver area, especially the unusually high background levels of ionizing radiation, warrant comparisons with rates generated from other regions. A total of 348 childhood cancers were identified in white (including Spanish surname) and black children, with the 200 cancers among males resulting in higher rates than for females (148 cases) for total cancers and selected major cancer types (leukemias, glial brain cancers, and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas). Compared with other geographic areas, Denver rates were very similar, with no marked excesses or deficits except for an increase in male endocrine cancers. Rates for Spanish surname children were very similar to the rates for other whites.