Descriptive epidemiology of Hodgkin's disease in the province of Padova, 1970-1974.

The age-standardized incidence rates of Hodgkin's disease in the province of Padova during the period 1970-1974 were 4.33/10(5) per year for males and 3.70/10(5) per year for females. These rates are higher (particularly for females) than in other European countries and close to those reported for North America. A bimodal distribution by age is present in the province as a whole. These findings, with the limitations due to the small population and diagnostic difficulties taken into account, are discussed with a view to further investigation.