Occupational exposure to polyvinyl chloride as a risk factor for testicular cancer evaluated in a case-control study.
Occupational exposures were assessed in a case-control study on testicular cancer using self-administered questionnaires. In total, answers were obtained for 148 (91%) cases and 315 (87%) controls. Of the cases, 101 had seminoma and 47 had embryonal testicular cancer. An increased odds ratio (OR) was found for exposure to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) yielding an OR of 6.6 (95% confidence interval, 1.4-32). The risk increased further if cases with self-reported cryptorchidism or orchitis were excluded. Six of the 7 exposed cases had seminoma. Exposure to other types of plastics did not significantly increase the risk of testicular cancer.
Hardell
L
L
Department of Oncology, Orebro Medical Center, Sweden. lennart.hardell@orebroll.se
Ohlson
C G
CG
Fredrikson
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000139:chemically induced; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D009920:Orchitis / Q000150:complications; D010969:Plastics / Q000009:adverse effects; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D018239:Seminoma / Q000139:chemically induced; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications
D010969:Plastics; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride