Medical conditions, family history of cancer, and the risk of biliary tract cancers.
BACKGROUND
Scanty data exist on the role of personal medical conditions, except for gallstones, and family history of cancer on the risk of biliary tract cancers (BTC).


METHODS
We analyzed this issue using data from two Italian case-control studies, including 159 cases of BTC and 795 matched hospital controls. Odds ratios (ORs) of BTC and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multiple logistic regression models.


RESULTS
Gallstones were associated with a 2-fold excess risk of BTC (95% CI 1.24-3.45). No significant associations were observed with other conditions investigated, including diabetes (OR 1.15, 95% CI 0.63-2.11), hypertension (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.39-1.11), hyperlipidemia (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.31-1.21), allergy (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.29-1.40), gastroduodenal ulcer (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.24-1.12), hepatitis (OR 2.02, 95% CI 0.35-11.67), benign thyroid diseases (OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.56-2.40), hysterectomy (OR 1.19, 95% CI 0.53-2.68), unilateral oophorectomy (OR 1.75, 95% CI 0.44-6.93), and bilateral oophorectomy (OR 2.48, 95% CI 0.79-7.82). We found an excess risk of BTC in relation to family history of any cancer (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.03-2.24) and family history of gallbladder cancer (OR 3.83, 95% CI 0.59-24.75).


CONCLUSIONS
The present study confirms a strong association between BTC and history of gallstones, and provides further evidence of a positive association with family history of cancer.
Department of Epidemiology, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, IRCCS, Milan - Italy.
Valentina
V
Rosato
Department of Epidemiology, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, IRCCS, Milan - Italy.
Cristina
C
Bosetti
Unit of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute IRCCS, Aviano (Pordenone) - Italy.
Luigino
L
Dal Maso
Unit of Epidemiology, National Cancer Institute "G. Pascale Foundation", Naples - Italy.
Maurizio
M
Montella
Unit of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute IRCCS, Aviano (Pordenone) - Italy.
Diego
D
Serraino
Department of Epidemiology, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, IRCCS, Milan - Italy.
Eva
E
Negri
Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan - Italy.
Carlo
C
La Vecchia
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D001661:Biliary Tract Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D042882:Gallstones / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects