This thesis is a comparative review of skeletal elements from coastal and highland regions of Peru to determine if altitude effects the incidence of skeletal cancer formations. Pathological analysis was completed on 372 skeletal elements: 299 elements from coastal regions, and 73 from the highlands. The rate of malignant neoplastic diseases in the highlands is 5.48%, compared to 0.67% within the coastal region, suggesting that incidence of cancer is greater within regions of high altitudes. Based on the sociocultural lifestyle factors and environment exposure between the coastal and highland areas, it is evident that both regions of the Andes were exposed to the same types of carcinogens. However, amounts of exposure occurred at different levels. Therefore, as exposure to environmental carcinogens occurred at both the coastal and highland regions, with the exception of altitude, this study further supports evidence that altitude is likely the causal factor of the incidence and prevalence of cancer in the Andes. Further research is suggested to continue gathering data to better define the significance of cancer in the Central Andes and the health and disease load of the Andean populations of the past. In particular, there is a need for highland excavations in search of neoplastic diseases, in an environment free of looting, if possible.