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M R Spitz

Publications and source records attributed to M R Spitz.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Incidence of testicular cancer in the United States related to marital status, histology, and ethnicity.

Analyses were made of the marital status of 3,346 patients with the diagnosis of testicular cancer. Among whites, blacks, and Puerto Rico Hispanics, the risk was greater among single than married men. Among whites and both Puerto Rico and New Mexico Hispanic groups, the elevated risk was apparent for histologic types other than seminoma. Among single white men, this excess risk began after 25-29 years of age. During the 10 years 1973 through 1982, incidence increased among single men under age 45, but little increase in incidence was found for married men. There was a striking increase among single men ages 30-44. These data confirm that single men are more susceptible to non-seminoma testicular cancer than are married men after the age of 30. Testicular cancer is increasing fastest among single men of ages 30-44.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Incidence of prostate cancer and marital status.

Analyses were made of the marital status of 48,106 men with adenocarcinoma of the prostate, who were reported to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program of the National Cancer Institute during the 9 years ending in 1981. The hypothesis tested was that widowers and possibly divorced men were at higher risk for developing this cancer than were married men. Age- and marital-specific incidence rates were calculated for 4 age groups (45-54, 55-64, 65-74, and greater than or equal to 75 yr) for U.S. white, black, and Puerto Rico Hispanic men. Risks for other marital status groups were calculated relative to "married." Among the 45-54 age group, all ethnic groups had an excess risk for widowed as compared to the risk for married men [whites, relative risk (RR) = 1.7; blacks, RR = 1.5; Hispanics, RR = 2.5]. These excesses were not significantly different from unity. In the other 3 age groups and among each ethnic group, among whom 97.3% of all prostate cancers occurred, there was no suggestion of an excess risk for the development of prostate cancer among widowed men relative to married men. Unexpected findings were significant deficits in risk for single, separated, and divorced white men as compared to the risk for married men. Thus this study does not support an association between widowerhood and an increased risk for the development of prostate cancer. Additional studies are required to investigate a suggestion of decreased risk for older, separated, and divorced men.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1987

Epidemiologic similarities leading to etiologic hypotheses.

Analogy is a useful means of generating etiologic hypotheses which can be tested by epidemiologic, clinical, or laboratory studies. We describe how the use of analogy has furthered the understanding of three disease entities--Hodgkin's disease (HD), testicular cancer (TC), and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). HD is probably caused by a virus of low pathogenicity with clinical expression dependent on social factors. TC may have a viral etiology, although clinical disease may be triggered by other factors. AIDS is caused by a virus which may act as an initiator. AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) may be the result of exposure to a carcinogenic chemical acting as a promoter. In all three diseases, the clinical manifestation could be regarded as varying expressions of host response to a viral agent, modified by an array of socioeconomic and/or biologic cofactors.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1986

Incidence and descriptive features of testicular cancer among United States whites, blacks, and Hispanics, 1973-1982.

This is a descriptive epidemiologic report based on over 3000 incident testicular cancer cases occurring among residents of the US and Puerto Rico, as reported to the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program of the National Cancer Institute for the years 1973 through 1982. White men had significantly higher incidence rates than their New Mexico Hispanic, black, and Puerto Rican Hispanic counterparts with weighted risk ratios of 1.36, 4.62, and 4.80, respectively. Ethnic differences in incidence were least evident at the extremes of age. Although the distribution of histologic subtypes did not differ across ethnic strata, morphologic expression was related to age at diagnosis. There was a predominance of right-sided tumor involvement in each ethnic group in childhood (less than 15 years of age), but not in the oldest age categories or among tumors presenting in cryptorchid testes. Never married men appeared to be at greater risk of developing nonseminoma testicular cancer than their married counterparts. Analysis of ethnic secular trends, using data from comparable geographic areas, showed a consistent increase in incidence among young men for all three ethnic groups. The contrast between the rate differences and the homogeneity of descriptive parameters across ethnic strata suggest the impact of quantitative rather than qualitative differences in environmental etiology.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1986

Ethnic patterns of Hodgkin's disease incidence among children and adolescents in the United States, 1973-82.

The descriptive epidemiologic findings were summarized on 1,109 patients (white, black, and Hispanic) under 20 years of age who were diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease as reported to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results ("SEER") Program of the National Cancer Institute from 1973 to 1982. Across all ethnic strata, incidence rates increased with advancing age at diagnosis, with white adolescents 15-19 years old exhibiting the highest rates (male, 3.67; female, 4.18). Gender difference among children 0-14 years of age was most evident in blacks (male:female ratio: 4.0 for blacks, 1.0 for whites). Highest adolescent:childhood ratios of incidence rates were noted for females (5.81 for whites and 8.29 for New Mexico Hispanics) and lowest, for Hispanic males (1.25, New Mexico; 2.15, Puerto Rico). Whites exhibited the highest percentage of the nodular sclerosis histologic subtype (65%) and Hispanics, the lowest (45%). Conversely, Hispanics had higher rates of histologic types associated with a poorer prognosis (mixed cellularity and lymphocyte depletion). These differing age and histologic patterns were consistent with previously described international patterns of disease occurrence. Analysis of secular trends for whites from 1969 to 1982 revealed relatively stable rates for youngest ages and male adolescents. Rates increased over time for white female adolescents, but the trend was not statistically significant.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Questionable relationship between cholecystectomy and colon cancer.

The relationship between prior cholecystectomy and right-sided colon cancer was evaluated in a case-control study. The study population comprised 267 women with right-sided colon cancer (cases) and 268 women with left-sided colon cancer (controls). All patients were white females, aged between 40 and 69 years, and registered at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute between 1970 and 1982. Thirty cases (11.2%) and 21 controls (7.8%) had documented prior cholecystectomy (odds ratio 1.49, 95% confidence limits 0.83, 2.67). The temporal relationship between cholecystectomy and colon cancer and the presence of diabetes were also evaluated. The authors conclude that there is no significant relationship between prior cholecystectomy and the development of right-sided colon cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Volatile nitrites. Use and adverse effects related to the current epidemic of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Early reports of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in homosexual men suggested that the cause might be related to homosexual life-style practices, including use of recreational drugs. Inhalation of volatile nitrites is a possible contributing factor in AIDS because their pharmacologic properties lead to toxicity. Metabolism of N-nitroso compounds produces mutagens, teratogens, and potent carcinogens in 39 different animal species, and volatile nitrites have deleterious effects on human lymphocytes in vitro and in vivo. In relation to the current AIDS epidemic, the timing of production and sales of volatile nitrites for recreational use is the only new life-style factor that might answer the question "why AIDS now?" Prevalence of nitrite use among male homosexuals is very high, and almost every reported case of Kaposi's sarcoma during the past three years includes a history of prior nitrite use. The age of the group of patients in whom Kaposi's sarcoma and AIDS are developing is consistent with a cohort initially exposed seven to 10 years ago. Cessation of nitrite use could reduce the epidemic.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1985

Risk factor analysis among men referred for possible acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Responses to a lifestyle questionnaire among 13 patients with Kaposi's sarcoma and 18 with an opportunistic infection were compared with those of 29 symptom-free referred individuals. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence limits were calculated as an estimate of risk. Significantly elevated odds ratios (P less than 0.05) were found for cigarette smoking (OR = 3.4), marijuana use (OR = 3.7), nitrite use (OR = 5.5), frequenting bathhouses (OR = 7.6), prior syphilis (OR = 3.4), and fist-rectal sexual practices (OR = 3.5). A response gradient for the risk estimates was found for marijuana use (OR = 2.7 for occasional, OR = 4.3 for frequent use); nitrites (OR = 4.0 for occasional; OR = 6.3 for frequent use); and prior syphilis (OR = 2.9 for one to two previous infections and 9.0 for three or more). We believe the evidence is now sufficient to recommend preventive practices which may reduce the male homosexual's risk for developing acquired immune deficiency syndrome, Kaposi's sarcoma, and/or opportunistic infections. These include cessation of cigarette smoking, marijuana use, and nitrite inhalation; reduction in number of anonymous sexual partners to decrease risk of sexually transmitted diseases; and avoidance of fisting.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1985

Neuroblastoma and paternal occupation. A case-control analysis.

The peak incidence of neuroblastoma during early infancy suggests that prezygotic or prenatal exposures to carcinogens could be implicated. Several recent epidemiologic studies have suggested an association between parental exposure to petrochemicals and ionizing radiation and the development of cancer in the offspring. This paper is a population-based case-control analysis of the birth certificate data of 157 children who died in Texas from neuroblastoma in 1964-1978 and 314 controls randomly selected from all live births in Texas. Children of fathers employed in occupations with electromagnetic field exposure were at significantly increased risk (odds ratio = 2.13). The odds ratio was 11.75 for children of fathers who reported themselves to be electronics workers (6 cases, 1 control).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Seasonal diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease among young adults.

Among 3,707 incident cases of Hodgkin's disease analyzed by month of initially confirmed diagnosis, there was no evidence of seasonal variation for boys or girls (less than 15 yr old) or for older persons (greater than or equal to 40 yr old). However, for young adults (15-39 yr old) there was significant fluctuation of month of diagnosis. February was the month of peak diagnosis both among young men (P = .002) and among young women, although not significant at conventional levels (P = .30). This seasonal variation is consistent with the hypothesis that Hodgkin's disease in young adults is the rare manifestation of a prevalent infection with low pathogenicity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Neuroblastoma: case-control analysis of birth characteristics.

The peak incidence of neuroblastoma during early infancy indicates that prenatal factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease. A population-based case-control study was conducted comparing birth certificate data of 157 children who later died from neuroblastoma in Texas with 314 controls randomly selected from all Texas live births. Analysis of birth certificate data revealed a protective relative risk estimate for preterm births (less than 37-wk gestation), with an overall odds ratio of 0.29 (95% confidence limits of 0.10-0.86). This effect was independent of birth weight and ethnic group. A statistically significant odds ratio of 3.22 was detected for term babies whose birth weight was low. The findings suggest that the fetus is susceptible to an in utero oncogenic initiator or promoter during the last 4 weeks of gestation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Risk factors for major salivary gland carcinoma. A case-comparison study.

The authors conducted a case-comparison chart-review study on 498 patients with histologically confirmed salivary gland carcinoma and 487 randomly selected patients registered at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute at Houston from 1960 through 1981. The study was undertaken to identify potential risk factors for salivary gland carcinoma. Univariate analysis of the data indicated a relationship with prior radiation therapy (odds ratio estimate of 6.17 with 95% confidence limits of 3.11-12.22) and with previous primary cancer (odds ratio estimate 4.81 with 95% confidence limits of 2.70-8.55). For agricultural occupations, the odds ratio was 1.62 with confidence limits of 1.05 to 2.49. The excess for previous primary cancer was largely due to previous skin cancer, especially in men, for whom the odds ratio was 13.7 (4.17-44.97). Multivariate analysis of these data, using the logit model, confirmed the association with both previous primary cancer and previous radiation. The rationale for a possible relationship between cutaneous neoplasms and salivary carcinoma is explained in embryologic and histogenetic terms.

Carcinoma↗
PubMed1984

Major salivary gland carcinoma. Descriptive epidemiology and survival of 498 patients.

A retrospective chart review study was conducted on 498 patients with histopathologically confirmed carcinoma of the major salivary glands to ascertain the potential risk factors and to abstract the clinicopathologic and survival data. The distribution of histologic classification varied by race, sex, and history of benign salivary gland lesion (37 patients). Of the 57 patients who had a history of radiation exposure, 49 patients had been irradiated in a field encompassing the salivary gland area. Sixty-six patients had had a prior primary cancer. Of 43 instances of previous skin cancer, 37 occurred in male patients. The rationale for a possible relationship between cutaneous neoplasms and salivary carcinoma is explained embryologically and histogenetically. Tumor histology, anatomic site, race, and sex were important predictors of survival.

Ethnicity↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Salivary gland cancer and risk of subsequent skin cancer.

There are epidemiologic similarities between salivary and skin neoplasms that could be attributed to exposure to ultraviolet radiation. To explore further the etiologic parallels between these two types of cancer, we studied the multiple primary association between salivary gland cancer with that of other cancers known to be induced by ultraviolet light exposure, using data from the SEER program for 1973-1984. Because nonmelanoma skin cancers other than cancers of the lip are not routinely reported to the SEER registries, we specifically evaluated the associations with melanoma and lip cancers. Expected numbers of subsequent primaries (melanoma and lip) for the 904 white men and 784 white women with an initial salivary gland cancer were computed from incidence rates using the Connecticut Tumor Registry. There were significantly increased risks for subsequent lip cancer among men (RR = 8.7) and for melanoma among women (RR = 7.1). Among men there was also a significant association between an initial lip cancer and risk of subsequent salivary gland cancer (RR = 12.7). These observations, together with reported increases in incidence of these tumors, suggest a common etiology, which could partly be explained because of exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Association between malignancies of the upper aerodigestive tract and uterine cervix.

Cancers of the cervix and buccal cavity share histologic, epidemiologic, and exposure characteristics. In particular, cigarette smoking and human papillomavirus (HPV) have been cited as etiologic cofactors of both malignancies. Using incidence data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program of the National Cancer Institute for the years 1973 through 1984, we evaluated the incidence of second cancers of the buccal cavity following an initial cervical cancer. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were uniformly elevated for both white (SIR = 2.0), and black (SIR = 3.5) women. There were also elevated risks for the development of cervical cancer following an initial buccal cavity cancer (SIRs = 3.3 and 2.5, respectively). A similar pattern was evident for laryngeal cancer among white women. HPV transmission could account in part for the paired occurrence of these two anatomically distinct cancer sites. Cigarette smoking could act as a synergistic cofactor in the malignant transformation of viral genome-harboring tissue.

Adult↗