Abstract: ObjectiveTo describe the mortality of malignant tumors and its distribution among residents in the main trunk-stream areas of Dawen river in Shandong province.MethodsWith the cross-sectional study method,a retrospective investigation for all death causes mainly comprised of malignant tumor was carried out among residents in the main trunk-stream areas of Dawen river and its control areas from 2002 to 2004.The death causes were coded based on ICD-10,and the ultimate death causes were concluded.The statistic indexes were calculated with mortality rate and its component,etc.Results54 townships including 41 as study areas and 13 as control areas were investigated in 8 counties of the main trunkstream areas of Dawen river.The yearly average population and standardized mortality rate of malignant tumors were 2 227 271 persons and 140.64 per 100 000 population among residents in study areas,and 498121 persons and 139.42 per 100 000 population among residents in control areas.The mortality of malignant tumors with the first rank of esophageal cancer was firstly ranked among all death causes in both areas.The yearly standardized mortality rate among residents in the upriver areas (121.43 per 100 000 population)was significantly lower than that in memid-river and downriver areas(161.08 per 100 000 population)(χ²=5 012.18,P<0.001).ConclusionThe mortality rate of malignant tumors especially esophageal cancer among residents in the main trunk-stneam areas of Dawen river was higher,especially in the mid-river and downriver areas.Further researches should be carried out to take appropriate measures for the malignant tumors control.