Risk factor information found in medical records of lung and prostate cancer cases, New Mexico Tumor Registry (United States)

Kaposi sarcoma incidence in females is nearly four-fold higher in the Lower Rio Grande Valley compared to the Texas average

The Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) is located on U.S.-Mexican border with a population that is 90% Hispanic [1]. Comprised of Hidalgo, Cameron, Starr and Willacy counties, this region has the highest poverty rate and one of the highest incidences of Type 2 diabetes in the United States [2-4]. Previous studies demonstrated a high prevalence of Human Herpes Virus 8 (HHV8) in the LRGV [5-7]. HHV8 infection has been causally linked to Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) [8]. Here, we retrospectively examine the incidence of KS in the LRGV in a set of HIV-negative Hispanic patients. Strikingly, the incidence of KS was higher in LRGV women compared to the Texas state average (nearly four-fold higher in McAllen-Edinburg-Pharr Metro Statistical Area). This unique profile aligns with the increased HHV8 prevalence in the LRGV, suggesting that HHV8 contributes to a high incidence of HIV-negative KS on the U.S.-Mexican border in Texas.

Acute myeloid leukemia risk by industry and occupation

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common type of leukemia found in adults. Identifying jobs that pose a risk for AML may be useful for identifying new risk factors. A matched case-control analysis was conducted using California Cancer Registry data from 1988 to 2007. This study included 8999 cases of AML and 24 822 controls. Industries with a statistically significant increased AML risk were construction (matched odds ratio [mOR] = 1.13); crop production (mOR = 1.41); support activities for agriculture and forestry (mOR = 2.05); and animal slaughtering and processing (mOR = 2.09). Among occupations with a statistically significant increased AML risk were miscellaneous agricultural workers (mOR = 1.76); fishers and related fishing workers (mOR = 2.02); nursing, psychiatric and home health aides (mOR = 1.65); and janitors and building cleaners (mOR = 1.54). Further investigation is needed to confirm study findings and to identify specific exposures responsible for the increased risks.

Lung cancer risk among construction workers in California, 1988-2007

BACKGROUND

Although lung cancer risks can vary by race/ethnicity and by construction occupation, these risks have not been examined extensively.

METHODS

This study analyzed 110,937 lung cancer cases identified from the California Cancer Registry between 1988 and 2007. Mean age at diagnosis, proportion diagnosed at an advanced stage, and proportion with 3-year survival were calculated for lung cancer cases employed in the construction industry. Case-control methodology was also used to assess the risk of lung cancer. Morbidity odds ratios (MORs) were estimated by conditional logistic regression.

RESULTS

Construction workers were found to have a significantly elevated risk for all lung cancer combined (MOR = 1.57) and for each lung cancer histologic subtype examined. All construction occupations, except managers/engineers and supervisors, had a significantly elevated risk for all lung cancer combined. Roofers and welders had the highest risks for total lung cancer and for each of the histologic subtypes. Construction workers in each of the four race/ethnicity groups also had significantly increased lung cancer risks. Compared to non-construction workers, construction workers were diagnosed at an earlier age, at a more advanced stage, and had significantly lower 3-year survival, though differences were modest.

CONCLUSION

These findings justify additional reductions in carcinogenic exposures in construction, and increased support for smoking cessation programs at construction sites.

Descriptive epidemiology of esophageal carcinoma in the Ohio Cancer Registry

BACKGROUND

Etiologic factors and demographics in esophageal cancer have not been fully characterized at a population-level. This study aimed to compare incidence rates of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) by race. Other aims were to evaluate the impact of race, age, gender, and histology on presenting stage, and to describe tobacco use history in EAC as documented in a cancer registry.

METHODS

Invasive esophageal cancer cases reported to Ohio's Cancer Registry 1998-2002 were identified. Incident staged EAC and ESCC cases were analyzed for factors associated with metastatic disease.

RESULTS

930 ESCC and 1801 EAC cases were identified. African-Americans had higher ESCC incidence than whites (5.0 versus 1.3 cases/100,000/year). However, whites had higher EAC incidence (3.3 versus 0.8 cases/100,000/year). 77% of EAC cases with available tobacco history were reported in tobacco users. In univariate analyses, race, age, gender, and histology differed significantly by stage. 31% of patients aged > or =65 presented with distant stage, versus 26% of those <65 (p<0.001). 32% of African-Americans had distant stage, versus 34% of whites (p=0.048). In logistic regression modeling, male gender [OR 1.76, CI (1.15, 2.67)] and age <75 [OR 1.95, CI (1.21, 3.15)], but not race, predicted distant stage ESCC. Distant stage EAC was associated with age <56 [OR 1.82, CI (1.39, 2.38)] but not significantly associated with African-American race (p=0.062) for the sample size available.

CONCLUSIONS

Whites had higher EAC rates, and African-Americans had higher ESCC rates. African-Americans were not more likely than whites to present with metastatic ESCC.

Obtaining smoking histories for population-based studies on multiple primary cancers: Connecticut, 2002

Because of the absence of data on smoking history for patients in cancer registries, large population-based studies have been unable to directly assess the role of smoking in the risk of multiple primary cancers. In a random sample of 618 adults diagnosed with invasive cancer in 2002 and reported to the population-based Connecticut (CT) cancer registry, however, search of hospital records identified smoking history (current, former, never- or nonsmoker) for 83.3%. Number of cigarettes per day was known for 71.3% of 289 current or former smokers, while duration of quitting was found for 92.3% of 194 former smokers. Smoking status was strongly associated with current heavy alcohol use. Hospital records appear to be a promising resource for population-based studies on smoking histories in relation to risk of multiple primaries, although completeness of information needs to be improved in CT and assessments are needed in other cancer registries.