Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and testicular cancer: a case-control study.
Environmental factors appear to be important in the etiology of testicular cancer. In this study, the authors identified some risk factors for testicular cancer, paying particular attention to prenatal and early life exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Using a questionnaire, the authors obtained information on male participants' environmental and occupational exposures during adolescence and adulthood. A multivariate logistic regression analysis of 103 cases and 215 controls showed an association between seminoma and nonseminoma and hobby activities that potentially involved the use of EDCs (eg, paints, glues, or solvents). Rural residence during adolescence was associated with all histological types of testicular cancer and with seminoma. No association was found with occupational exposures of the subjects. This study's findings also confirm previously identified risk factors, such as history of cryptorchidism and undescended testicle, high educational level, and low birth weight, and it gives some support to the hypothesis of a possible association between EDC exposures and testicular cancer.
Nori
Fiametta
F
Department of Animal and Human Biology and John Osborn is with the Institute of Hygiene "Sanarelli," University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy. fiammetta.nori@uniroma1.it
Carbone
Pietro
P
Giordano
Felice
F
Osborn
John
J
Figà-Talamanca
Irene
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012307:Risk Factors; D012384:Rome; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000209:etiology