Shared occupational risks for transitional cell cancer of the bladder and renal pelvis among men and women in Sweden

Background Unlike cancer of the bladder, cancer of the renal pelvis is not considered an occupational cancer and little is known about risks among women. Methods Using the Swedish national census and cancer registry-linked data (1971-1989), we identified transitional cell cancers of the renal pelvis (N = 1, 374) and bladder (N = 21,591). Correlation between cancer sites for the standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were determined using Pearson's coefficient of the log SIR. Relative risks of job exposure matrix variables were calculated using Poisson regression. Results Both cancer sites were significantly elevated among women and men employed in the machine/electronics industry, sedentary work, and indoor work, and men in the metal industry. The highest proportion of the bladder (12%) and renal pelvis (14%) cancers occurred among men employed in shop and construction metal work. Risks by industry were more correlated among women (r = 0.49, P = 0.002) than men (r = 0.24, P = 0.04). Cancers of the renal pelvis were elevated in several occupational and industry groups for which there was no elevated bladder cancer risk. Conclusion Cancers of the renal pelvis and bladder share common occupational risk factors that may be more frequent among women. In addition, there may be some jobs that pose an increased risk specifically for cancer of the renal pelvis but not bladder.