[Malignant tumors of the stomach, colon and rectum. Statistico-epidemiological considerations].

Mortality figures for tumours of the stomach and colon-rectum in Italy over a 20 year period and divided by age classes, show a reduction in gastric cancer (-33%) and an increase in colo-rectal cancer (+63%). The incidence of mortality by region (greater in the North, less in the South) and town is analysed. Possible relations between varying customs and the onset of tumours in different sites of the gastro-enteric apparatus are recalled.