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M S Linet

Publications and source records attributed to M S Linet.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Clinical features of hematopoietic malignancies and related disorders among benzene-exposed workers in China. Benzene Study Group.

Previous occupational cohort studies of benzene-exposed workers have for the most part used only death certificates to validate diagnoses of workers developing leukemia and other hematopoietic and lymphoproliferative malignancies and related disorders (HLD). In a follow-up study of 74,828 benzene-exposed workers and a comparison group of 35,805 nonexposed workers from 12 cities in China, we sought to characterized clinicopathologically and to confirm diagnoses of all cases of HLD. Using medical records, laboratory hematology results, and histopathology, U.S. and Chinese expert hematopathologists, blinded to exposure status, carried out a detailed review using standardized evaluation forms. Key among the findings were a notable diversity of malignant and nonneoplastic hematopoietic and lymphoproliferative disorders, documentation of excess myelodysplastic syndromes among benzene workers, and widespread dyspoiesis involving all hematopoietic cell lines. As sophisticated clinicopathologic characterization and corresponding classification schemes for HLD become increasingly widespread, it is recommended that future epidemiologic investigations of benzene workers incorporate similarly detailed morphologic evaluation. In extending follow-up of this cohort of young workers, we will continue to use all available clinical, laboratory hematology, and pathology data as well as cytogenetic and biochemical markers to characterized various HLD outcomes. These careful surveillance mechanisms should also provide additional insight into carcinogenic mechanisms of benzene and allow comparison of the molecular pathogenesis of HLD induced by benzene versus chemotherapy, radiation, or other exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Cancer risk after splenectomy].

Removal of the spleen may possibly affect functions of the immune system. Cancer risk following splenectomy was evaluated by performing a linked register study in Denmark from 1977-89. From the Hospital Discharge Register we identified 1103 patients splenectomized after traumatic rupture of the spleen and 5212 patients splenectomized for various malignant or non-malignant disorders and both groups were followed for cancer occurrence in the Danish Cancer Registry. No increased risk for cancer was observed among patients who underwent splenectomy due to trauma. In contrast, there were excesses of a number of specific cancers among patients who underwent splenectomy for non-traumatic reasons, but to a large extent this could be explained by factors related to the underlying disease and/or treatment of the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Analgesics and cancers of the renal pelvis and ureter.

To evaluate renal pelvis and ureter (RPU) cancer risk in relation to lifetime use of analgesics, a population-based case-control study was carried out in 3 areas of the United States. Among 502 cases and 496 controls diagnosed and interviewed during 1983-1986, no significant increases in risk were found for any of the non-prescription and prescription analgesics evaluated or among regular users of phenacetin, acetaminophen or aspirin. Neither cumulative lifetime ingestion nor duration of regular use of these 3 drugs, whether alone or in combination, was associated with significantly increased risk of RPU cancer, although a slight excess was observed among long-term users of acetaminophen. Risk was not increased among persons reporting highest cumulative dose and/or longest duration of phenacetin use. Although our study of RPU cancer is the largest to date, it was nonetheless limited by the small number of regular analgesic users and the relatively low response rates. Because of the relatively recent onset of widespread use of acetaminophen, its pharmacologic similarity to phenacetin, a known urothelial carcinogen, and the elevation in risk seen in long-term users, further surveillance of this analgesic is warranted.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1995

Cancer risk after splenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Splenectomy may have an impact on immunologic function. To the authors' knowledge, the only previous epidemiologic study investigating cancer risk among patients splenectomized because of trauma reported no increased cancer risk. In contrast, several investigations have suggested that splenectomy in patients with Hodgkin's disease increases the risk for secondary leukemia independent of treatment. METHODS: To evaluate the cancer risk of patients who underwent splenectomy after traumatic rupture of the spleen, 1103 patients were identified between 1977 and 1989 through Danish hospital discharge records. Another 5212 splenectomized patients also were identified to perform additional analyses for assessing cancer risk subsequent to splenectomy for nontraumatic indications including benign and malignant conditions. Cancer occurrence was determined by performing a linkage to the Danish Cancer Registry. For comparison, expected numbers of cases of cancer were calculated from national cancer incidence rates. RESULTS: The number of cancer cases observed among posttraumatic splenectomized patients matched the expected number (relative risk = 1.0; n = 20; 95% confidence interval = 0.6-1.6) in an average follow-up of 6.8 years. Additional analyses identified possible excesses of a number of site-specific neoplasms among certain subgroups of patients undergoing splenectomy for nontraumatic reasons, but the numbers in the subgroup analyses were small. CONCLUSIONS: No increased risk for cancer was observed among patients who underwent splenectomy because of trauma. However, an increased risk for some specific cancer sites was found in patients who underwent splenectomy for nontraumatic reasons, although the effect of treatments for underlying disease and lifestyle habits such as cigarette smoking could not be ruled out in explaining these excess risks.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Esophageal cancer and occupation in a cohort of Swedish men.

Using the Cancer Environment Registry of Sweden, which links the 1960 census information on employment with cancer incidence data from 1961-1979, we conducted a systematic, population-based assessment of esophageal cancer incidence by industry and occupation for men in Sweden. A general reduction in esophageal cancer incidence was found among agricultural and professional workers, whereas excess incidence was found among business, sales, and some craftsmen and production jobs. Elevated incidence was associated with several specific industries, including the food (SIR = 1.3, p < 0.05), beverage and tobacco (SIR = 1.8, p < 0.05) industries, vulcanizing shops within the rubber industry (SIR = 4.7, p < 0.01), and certain automotive building industries. Incidence also was increased among brewery workers (SIR = 4.2, p < 0.01) and butchers (SIR = 2.1, p < 0.01), and among individuals with certain service jobs, particularly waiters in the hotel and restaurant industry (SIR = 3.1, p < 0.01). Some of the occupational associations may be explained by lifestyle factors such as alcohol drinking and smoking, whereas others are specific and tend to support those of earlier investigations. This study adds to the evidence of a small but possibly important role of occupation in esophageal cancer etiology.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

Patterns of occurrence of the leukaemias.

Despite a proliferation of epidemiological studies during the past two decades, aetiologies of the leukaemias remain poorly understood, and characterisation of descriptive patterns has been limited. Recent publications of international mortality and incidence data, along with the expanding U.S. database, make a comprehensive assessment of leukaemia patterns particularly timely. Total leukaemia mortality has dramatically declined among children and increased among the elderly, while incidence has declined somewhat (for Caucasian and African-American females) or remained stable (for African-American males) during the past two decades in the United States. Population-based 5-year relative survival for total leukaemia has risen substantially among children since the mid-1970s, and improved slightly among other age groups in the U.S., where survival is consistently higher among Caucasians than African-Americans, but differs little by gender. In a detailed assessment by leukaemia subtype, some important differences in geographic, racial/ethnic, age and trend patterns are identified, suggesting that the subtypes may have different aetiologic factors. Proven and suspected risk factors cannot explain more than a small fraction of the observed geographic and temporal variation in incidence. Several noteworthy subtype-specific characteristics or trends warrant further investigation: for acute lymphoid leukaemia (ALL), increasing incidence, with higher rates in Spanish and Latino populations; for chronic lymphoid leukaemia (CLL), declining incidence, with dramatically low rates among Asians; for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), increasing incidence among African-American males; and for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), declining rates among Caucasian but not among African-Americans.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Occupational risks for cutaneous melanoma among men in Sweden.

A population-based linked-registry was used to evaluate incidence of malignant melanoma of the skin among Swedish men by industry and occupation. There were 3850 cutaneous melanoma cases identified in the 19-year follow-up of men employed in 1960. New associations were observed for men employed in the breweries and malt-processing industry and in shoe fabrication from leather and skins. Several findings supported associations previously reported in other countries, including an excess risk among workers in basic chemical production and the printing industry and among professional, technical, and white-collar workers. Risk overall was not increased among farmers, despite a significant excess of melanoma of the face, neck, and scalp. Although this linked registry analysis lacked information about specific agents, duration of employment, and occupational and recreational sun exposures, it did provide leads for new associations and confirmed previous ones. Nevertheless, because of these limitations, etiologic clues must be interpreted cautiously.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Relationship of headache to phase of the menstrual cycle among young women: a daily diary study.

We investigated the relationship between headache occurrence and phase of the menstrual cycle in a 4-month daily diary study of 74 women, 22 to 29 years old, residing in Washington County, Maryland. We selected subjects from women reporting a history of migraine symptoms and at least two migraine headache attacks per month in a 1986 to 1987 population-based survey. Data collection was from March 1987 through April 1988. By using detailed headache symptom information collected daily, we classified headaches into four categories: migraine with aura, migraine without aura, tension-type, and all other headaches. Odds ratios were separately estimated for the individual headache types and all types combined during each of three phases of the menstrual cycle. Risk of migraine without aura was significantly elevated during the first 3 days of menstruation (odds ratio, 1.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.21 to 2.26), but headache risk was not significantly increased during the 2 days immediately preceding onset of menstruation or on the estimated day of ovulation (day 14 before the onset of menstruation). Participants reported headaches on 28% of the study days overall, suggesting that onset of menstruation is an independent but not exclusive precipitating factor for headache attacks among young adult women with migraine. Our data show that onset of menstruation only accounts for a small proportion of migraine attacks among young women with frequent episodes of migraine.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Use of analgesics and risk of renal cell cancer.

Although heavy or long-term use of analgesics has been related to risk of renal cell cancer in several studies, evidence for such an association remains inconclusive. In a population-based case-control study including 440 renal cell cancer cases, spouses of an additional 151 cases, and 691 controls, we assessed renal cell cancer risk associated with lifetime consumption among those who reported during in-person interviews regular (at least 2 or more times per week for 1 month or longer) use of analgesics. Odds ratios (OR) were computed using logistic regression analyses. No excess risk was associated with regular use of aspirin, acetaminophen, phenacetin or combinations of these agents, nor did risks rise with increasing cumulative intake of these analgesics. A non-significant increased risk (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 0.6-6.9) was observed among women who used only acetaminophen-containing analgesics, but little excess was seen in men. Earlier studies reported a link to phenacetin-containing analgesics, but no one reported exclusive use of phenacetin-containing drugs in our study. The findings suggest that use of analgesics is not likely to play a major role in renal cell cancer development and that for cases diagnosed in the late 1980s or later, after the earlier withdrawal of phenacetin-containing drugs from the market, a hazard from this analgesic no longer exists.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1994

Cohort study among workers exposed to benzene in China: I. General methods and resources.

Benzene is recognized internationally as a leukemogen, but the available data to clarify dose-response relationships and examine risks of malignancies other than leukemia are sparse. A collaborative study was therefore carried out to expand on a previous retrospective cohort mortality study of Chinese benzene-exposed workers. Methods and resources used in the 16-year follow-up of 74,828 benzene-exposed and 35,805 unexposed workers employed for any length of time during 1972-1987 in 712 factories in 12 cities in China are described. Details are provided of the study organization, assessment of benzene exposures since 1949, characterization of factories and workers by exposure status, city, and sex, identification and confirmation of cancers and other deaths, and quality control procedures. The distinguishing features of the study are discussed in relation to earlier cohort studies, and study limitations as well as strengths are presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Development of a protocol for assessing time-weighted-average exposures of young children to power-frequency magnetic fields.

A study was carried out in 1990 to guide the development of a protocol for assessing residential exposures of children to time-weighted-average (TWA) power-frequency magnetic fields. The principal goal of this dosimetry study was to determine whether area (i.e., spot and/or 24 h) measurements of power-frequency magnetic fields in the residences and in the schools and daycare centers of 29 children (4 months through 8 years of age) could be used to predict their measured personal 24-h exposures. TWA personal exposures, measured with AMEX-3D meters worn by subjects, were approximately log-normally distributed with both residential and nonresidential geometric means of 0.10 microT (1.0 mG). Between-subjects variability in residential personal exposure levels (geometric standard deviation of 2.4) was substantially greater than that observed for nonresidential personal exposure levels (1.4). The correlation between log-transformed residential and total personal exposure levels was 0.97. Time-weighted averages of the magnetic fields measured in children's bedrooms, family rooms, living rooms, and kitchens were highly correlated with residential personal exposure levels (r = 0.90). In general, magnetic field levels measured in schools and daycare centers attended by subjects were smaller and less variable than measured residential fields and were only weakly correlated with measured nonresidential personal exposures. The final measurement protocol, which will be used in a large US study examining the relationship between childhood leukemia and exposure to magnetic fields, contains the following elements: normal- and low-power spot magnetic field measurements in bedrooms occupied by subjects during the 5 years prior to the date of diagnosis for cases or the corresponding date for controls; spot measurements under normal and low power-usage conditions at the centers of the kitchen and the family room; 24-h magnetic-field recordings near subjects' beds; and wire coding using the Wertheimer-Leeper method.

Child↗
PubMed1994

Diagnostic X-ray and ultrasound exposure and risk of childhood cancer.

In a population-based case-control study of 642 childhood cancer cases and the same number of matched controls in Shanghai, China, we evaluated the relationship between diagnostic X-ray (preconception, pre- and post-natal) and antenatal ultrasound exposure and the subsequent risk of developing three major types of childhood cancer (acute leukaemia, lymphoma and brain tumours) and all childhood neoplasms combined. Consistent with previous studies, prenatal X-ray exposure was found to be associated with an 80% increased risk of childhood cancers, although the estimation was based on 4% and 2% exposed cases and controls and was only marginally statistically significant (P = 0.08). Post-natal X-ray exposure was also linked with a small elevation in the risk of all cancers and the major categories of malignancies in children. Little evidence, however, was found to relate parental preconception X-ray exposure with the subsequent cancer risk in offspring, regardless of the exposure window and the anatomical site of X-ray exposures. This study adds further to the growing literature indicating that antenatal ultrasound exposure is probably not associated with an increased risk of childhood cancer.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Diet and serum markers in relation to primary brain tumor risk in China.

Associations between primary brain tumor mortality and dietary habits, certain serum biochemical markers, and life-style factors were evaluated in a county-based correlation study utilizing data collected from an ecological survey in 49 Chinese rural counties. Univariate correlation and multivariate regression analyses showed that high consumption of salt-preserved vegetables was linked to increased primary brain tumor mortality rates, although the association was significant only among men. In addition, high intake of green vegetables among men was associated with decreased rates. No clear association was seen between primary brain tumor mortality rates and tobacco use, body mass index, and serum biochemical markers. Limitations of these ecological data preclude causal inferences, but the findings provide etiologic clues to primary brain tumor mortality in rural China.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Occupation and hematopoietic and lymphoproliferative malignancies among women: a linked registry study.

Using a nationwide linked registry, we evaluated the incidence of several hematopoietic and lymphoproliferative (HLP) malignancies among Swedish women from 1961 to 1979 by industry and occupation. The risks of one or more types of HLP cancers (including the leukemias, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and mycosis fungoides) were significantly increased among women working in the agriculture and textile industries, housekeepers, and post office employees. Limitations of these linked-registry data include lack of detailed information on specific exposures and duration of employment, and the relatively small sizes of specific occupational cohorts. Nevertheless, as the proportion of women entering the workforce continues to increase, this data resource may provide additional clues to occupational determinants of HLP and other malignancies.

Female↗
PubMed1994

Gender differences in hematopoietic and lymphoproliferative disorders and other cancer risks by major occupational group among workers exposed to benzene in China.

Gender differences in risk for leukemia and other selected and combined disease categories were examined by major occupational category for 74,828 benzene-exposed workers compared to 35,805 unexposed workers from 12 cities in China. No significant differences in the relative risks for total mortality and cancer mortality were found between female and male benzene-exposed workers, although risks tended to be somewhat higher among male than among female employees. Both female and male workers in several occupational categories had notably increased risks for all hematopoietic and lymphoproliferative (HLP) malignant and nonmalignant disorders combined and for total leukemia. Variation in risk for HLP disorders by occupational category was observed in both genders, with highest risks for male and female chemical manufacturing workers, female nonproduction employees, and male printers. However, the numbers of leukemia and other HLP malignancies in each category were small. The findings suggest that both female and male benzene-exposed workers in several occupational categories experience excess leukemia and other HLP disorders with relatively minor gender differences. Although this population is one of the largest cohorts of benzene-exposed workers studied to date, evaluation of the observed variation in risk for HLP neoplasms among the occupational groups for workers of each gender is limited by the small numbers of these relatively rare malignancies.

Benzene↗
PubMed1994

Epidemiology of human leukemia.

The leukemias show clear geographic, racial, ethnic, age, and gender variation in both incidence and mortality, and the patterns of occurrence differ among subtypes. Despite decades of epidemiologic study, the known and suspected risk factors for leukemia are insufficient to explain more than a small fraction of the observed variation in the occurrence of the leukemias. Important contributions to the literature in 1993 included studies further clarifying the role of known risk factors (ionizing radiation, certain chemotherapeutic agents, and specific occupational chemical exposures) and suspected risk factors (infectious agents, electromagnetic fields, cigarette smoking, other chemotherapeutic agents, and additional occupational chemical exposures) in leukemogenesis.

Female↗