Background: Cancer incidence rates are increasing particularly in developing countries. It is crucial for policy
makers to know basic cancer epidemiology in each region to design comprehensive prevention plans. There have
hitherto been no population-based data available for cancer in Khuzestan province. The present report is a first
from the regional population-based cancer registry for the period of 2002-2009. Materials and Methods: Data
were collected retrospectively reviewing all new cancer patients whom were registered in Khuzestan province
cancer registry during an 8-year period (2002-2009). All cases were coded based on the ICD-O-3 coding system
and collected data were computerized using SPSS (Chicago, IL) software, version 11.5. The age standardized
incidence rates (ASRs) per 100,000 person-year for all cancers were computed using the indirect method of
standardization to the world population. Results: During the 8-year study period, 16,801 new cancer cases were
registered. Based on the computed ASRs, the five most frequent malignancies in females were breast (26.4 per
100,000), skin (13.6), colorectal (5.72), stomach (4.31) and bladder(4.07) and in males, the five most frequent
were skin (16.0 per 100,000), bladder (10.7),prostate (7.64), stomach (7.17), and colorectal (6.32).The ASR for
all malignancies in women was 92.5 per 100,000, and that for men was 87.4. Conclusions: The observed patterns
from the analysis of Khuzestan cancer registry data will lead to better understanding of the epidemiology of
various malignancies in this part ofthe country and consequently provide a useful guide for authorities to make
efficacious decisions and policies about a cancer control program for south-west Iran.