Environmental factors related to Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric cancer in Japan.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded small RNA can be detected in about 1-17% of gastric carcinomas. To elucidate the lifestyles and other factors related to the EBV-associated gastric carcinoma (EBV-GC), we interviewed 43 EBV-GC cases and 162 non EBV-GC cases in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan from 1996-2001. We mainly focused on lifestyles predominant among men because of its male predominance. Although the prevalence of smokers in EBV-GC cases was higher than among non EBV-GC cases, the difference was not significant (P = 0.131). Frequent drinking of coffee and high-temperature drinks, as well as frequent intake of salty and spicy foods, were more prevalent among EBV-GC cases, but only frequent intake of salty food showed a significant difference between EBV-GC and non EBV-GC cases (P = 0.026). In addition, EBV-GC cases tended to be exposed to wood dust and/or iron filings (P = 0.068) and tar (P = 0.097). These findings, together with a high frequency of EBV-GC among remnant cancers after partial gastrectomy, suggest an association between mechanical injuries to the stomach membrane and the high frequency of EBV-GC. The present study also showed that EBV-GC cases tended to be elder brothers/sisters (P for trend = 0.029) suggesting that age at primary infection with EBV may be older in EBV-GC cases than non EBV-GC cases.
Dept. of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Center for Chronic Viral Diseases, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan. fiy@m.kufm.kagoshima-u.ac.jp
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Koriyama
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Akiba
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Minakami
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Eizuru
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000821:virology*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000821:virology*; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*