[Comparative epidemiology, in Europe, of cancers related to tobacco (lung, larynx, pharynx, oral cavity)].

In 25 European countries, annual age-adjusted mortality and incidence rates, in males, for tobacco-related cancers (lung, larynx, oral cavity), were used in order to study geographic variations in the occurrence of those diseases, from 1952 to 1977. Neither in 1952 (mortality rates), nor in 1977 (mortality and incidence rates), was there any significant geographical correlation between lung cancer on the one hand, and laryngeal or oral cavity cancers on the other hand. Over the 25 years, all countries experienced a sharp increase in lung cancer mortality, especially in association with trends in tobacco consumption. On the contrary, mortality from cancers of the larynx or of the oral cavity showed divergent trends according to countries, since ten of them had steady or decreasing rates. The validity of the method, and the role of alcohol consumption are discussed. Moreover, it is suggested that, in southern european countries, some occupational exposures may be causative factors for laryngeal and oral cavity cancers.