Occupational risk factors for renal cell cancer: a case--control study in northern Italy

J Occup Environ Med. 2002 Nov;44(11):1028-36. doi: 10.1097/00043764-200211000-00009.

Abstract

Relatively little is known about occupational and other risk factors for renal-cell carcinoma (RCC). Associations between RCC and occupations, exposures and other factors were investigated in a hospital-based case-control study in Bologna (central-northern Italy). Between 1986 and 1994, 324 histologically confirmed RCC cases were diagnosed at Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi in patients from the Province of Bologna. Corresponding control subjects admitted to the same hospital with any diagnosis except RCC were matched for sex, age, and residency. We studied the 249 cases and 238 controls for whom detailed information on occupational history, diet, smoking habits, alcohol and drug intake was obtained. At conditional logistic regression, among males (167 matched pairs), significant matched odds ratios (OR) were found, after adjusting for cigarette smoking and alcohol intake, for high body-mass index BMI (third quartile: OR, 4.91; confidence interval [95% CI], 1.56-15.5; last quartile: OR, 4.42; 95% CI, 1.48-13.18), railway workers (OR, 10.14; 95% CI, 1.46-70.17) and asbestos exposure (OR, 7.11; 95% CI, 1.46-34.51); nearly significant OR were found for managers (OR, 3.59; 95% CI, 0.82-15.59) and metal workers (OR, 2.21; 95% CI, 0.99-5.37). Among females (52 pairs), significant OR were found for BMI > 25.4 (OR, 8.46; 95% CI, 1.02-68.0). Railway workers (on or near to trains) may have increased risk of developing RCC, possibly due to asbestos exposure. Studies are required on possible risks encountered by railway (and metal) workers and by managers.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / epidemiology*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Female
  • Hazardous Substances / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Kidney Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Exposure / statistics & numerical data*
  • Odds Ratio
  • Reference Values
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Distribution
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Hazardous Substances