Occupation and histopathology of lung cancer: A case-control study in Rosario, Argentina.
BACKGROUND
Male age-adjusted lung cancer mortality rate is high in Rosario City, Argentina (62.7 per 100,000).


METHODS
Case-control study involving interviews with 367 male lung cancer patients and 576 controls.


RESULTS
The histological distribution detected was: squamous cell 39%, adenocarcinoma 34%, small cell carcinoma 13%, and other or no specified cell type 14%. When comparing with the group unlikely to be exposed to occupational carcinogens, a 60% increase in risk was observed for the remaining occupations (P < 0.008). Risks were high for drivers (OR=1.9, CI: 1.1-4.0), construction (OR=2.5, CI: 1.0-5.9), and agricultural workers also (OR=1.8, CI: 1. 1-3.1). In regard to squamous cell carcinoma, increased risks were observed in the metal industry, particularly in welders (OR=2.9, CI: 1.0-10.1) and mechanics (OR=1.8, CI: 0.9-4.2). Smoking was not a substantial confounding effect.


CONCLUSIONS
Occupational exposures partly account for the high lung cancer mortality rate among male residents of Rosario City.
Pezzotto
S M
SM
Institute of Immunology, School of Medicine, National University of Rosario, Argentina. smpezzotto@mailcity.com
Poletto
L
L
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000383:Agriculture; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000009:adverse effects; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008669:Metallurgy; D008875:Middle Aged; D018986:Motor Vehicles; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D009790:Occupations; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D014896:Welding
D002273:Carcinogens