SINONASAL CANCER AND OCCUPATION - A CASE-CONTROL STUDY

A case-control study was conducted to examine occupational risk factors for sinonasal cancer. 207 cases and 409 controls (323 cancer hospital controls and 86 controls selected from lists provided by the cases) were included in the study. All cases and controls were interviewed by specially trained physicians. Detailed information on occupational history was collected, in addition to other potential risk factors for nasal cancer. Results are presented for two histologic types: adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Among males, the risk of adenocarcinoma was significantly elevated for carpenter and joiners (OR = 17,7) and other woodworkers (OR = 26,9). A significant increase in risk of squamous cell cancer (OR = 2,5) and a moderate increase in risk of adenocarcinoma (OR = 1,7; NS) were noted for construction workers. Among females, an excess risk of squamous cell carcinoma was associated with employment in textile industry (OR = 2,9). Elevated risks of squamous cell cancer were observed for farm workers of both sexes (males: OR = 2,2; females OR = 4,9).