Sinonasal cancer and occupation. Results from the reanalysis of twelve case-control studies

A pooled reanalysis of twelve case-control studies on sinonasal cancer and occupation from seven countries was conducted in order to study associations with occupations other than wood- and leather-related occupations. The pooled data set included a total of 930 cases (680 men and 250 women) and 3,136 controls (2,349 men and 787 women). All the studies included a detailed occupational history for cases and controls. Each job was coded using the same classifications for occupation and industry. Two approaches were used in the analysis: systematic analysis of occupations; a priori analysis using a preestablished list of occupations and industries. The results confirmed associations observed in several studies not included in this analysis. For agricultural workers, significant excesses were observed for squamous cell carcinoma among women (OR=1.69) and men (OR=3.72 for ten years or more of employment as an orchard worker), and adenocarcinomas among men (OR=2.98 for ten years or more of employment). Associations with textile occupations were observed for adenocarcinoma among women (OR=2.60) and squamous cell carcinoma among men (OR=5.09 for fiber prepares, 3.01 for bleachers). Elevated risks for both histologic types were observed among men employed in food manufacturing (OR=3.25, adenocarcinoma), or as food preservers (OR=13.9, squamous cell carcinoma), and among men employed as cooks (OR=1.99, squamous cell carcinoma). A positive association with squamous cell carcinoma was observed for male transport equipment operators (OR=1.21), and also with adenocarcinoma for male motor-vehicle drivers (OR=2.50). A number of other associations were observed in the systematic analysis.