Perinatal markers of estrogen exposure and risk of testicular cancer: follow-up of 1,333,873 Danish males born between 1950 and 2002.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether indicators of an increased prenatal estrogen exposure correlate with risk of testicular cancer.


METHODS
This nationwide follow-up study was conducted by linking data on prenatal exposures obtained from medical and birth records for information on incident testicular cancer cases identified from the Danish Cancer Registry. The study population included all boys born between 1950 and 2002 and alive in April 1968 or later with restriction to sons of mothers born after 1935 and alive in April 1968.


RESULTS
A total of 2,151 incident testicular cancer cases were identified in 29 million person-years at risk. Men born with a high birth weight (>4,150 g) had an increased risk of testicular cancer [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.6 (95% CI: 1.0, 2.4)]. Having a twin sister was associated with reduced risk [IRR = 0.5 (95% CI: 0.2, 1.1)], and the IRR for sons of mothers suffering from preeclampsia indicated a low risk [IRR = 0.6 (95% CI: 0.2, 2.0)], although none of these estimates were statistically significant. Increasing sib order and preterm birth was not associated with decreased risk.


CONCLUSIONS
Results provide no strong evidence for the hypothesis.
Ramlau-Hansen
Cecilia Høst
CH
Department of Occupational Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Noerrebrogade 44, Building 2C, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark. ceciraml@rm.dk
Olesen
Anne Vingaard
AV
Parner
Erik Thorlund
ET
Sørensen
Henrik Toft
HT
Olsen
Jørn
J
D001722:Birth Order; D001724:Birth Weight; D004967:Estrogens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008498:Medical Record Linkage; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014427:Twins
D004967:Estrogens