title: European multi-centre case-control study on risk factors for rare cancers of unknown aetiology.
abstract: To search for occupational risk factors, we conducted a case-control study in nine European countries of cancers of the small intestine, male gall bladder, thymus, bone, male breast, melanoma of the eye, and mycosis fungoides. Recruitment was population based in Denmark, Latvia, France, Germany, Italy, and Sweden, from hospital areas in Spain and Portugal, and from one United Kingdom (UK) hospital. We recruited 1457 cases (84% interviewed). Numbers identified corresponded to those in the EUROCIM database for Denmark, but were below those observed for France, Italy and Sweden in the database. We recruited 3374 population (61% interviewed) and 1284 colon cancer controls (86% interviewed). It was possible to undertake this complicated study across Europe, but we encountered three main problems. It was difficult to ensure complete case ascertainment, for population controls, we found a clear divide in the response rate from 75% in the South to only 55% in the North, and a somewhat selective recruitment was noted for the colon cancer controls. The study showed there is a clear dose-response relationship between alcohol intake and the risk of male breast cancer, and an excess risk of mycosis fungoides among glass formers, pottery and ceramic workers. Further data are expected.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, DK 2200 København N, Denmark. elsebeth@pubhealth.ku.dk
authors.forename: Elsebeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lynge
authors.forename: Noemia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Afonso
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kaerlev
authors.forename: Jørn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: Svend
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sabroe
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ahrens
authors.forename: Mikael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guénel
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Merletti
authors.forename: Aivars
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stengrevics
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suarez-Varela
authors.forename: Altamiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Costa-Pererra
authors.forename: Mogens
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vyberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D035583:Rare Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors