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The British Journal of Oral &... Jan 2023Social habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol are well-known causative agents for oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC/OPSCC). Human papillomavirus... (Review)
Review
Social habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol are well-known causative agents for oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC/OPSCC). Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a known causative agent for OPSCC. However, we often encounter patients with no identifiable risk factors. There is growing evidence of the role of occupational carcinogens in the pathogenesis of oral cancer. The aim of this study therefore was to identify any occupational carcinogens linked to oral cancer. We carried out a systematic review of the literature using PubMed, EMBASE, and Medline, along with a retrospective review of patients treated in a regional unit over 25 years. Occupations were classified based on the UK Standard of Classification 2020. Data analysis was completed using the chi-squared test. A total of 17 papers met the inclusion criteria for review. In our retrospective study a total of 874 patients were identified of whom 31% were blue-collar workers, 32.8% were white-collar workers, 20.2% were unemployed/housewives, and 16% workers in other occupations. The majority of blue-collar workers were in the construction industry and had maximum exposure to hydrocarbons and exhaust fumes. The aetiology of oral and oropharyngeal SCC is multifactorial and there is no consensus on the role of occupational carcinogens. We showcase our patient cohort and discuss the occupational exposures that appear to make them susceptible to OSCC and OPSCC. Further multicentre studies are required to enable us to understand fully the pathogenesis of oral cancer and help us to inform relevant organisations, the aim being to reduce the incidence of occupation-related cancer.
Topics: Humans; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; Retrospective Studies; Oropharyngeal Neoplasms; Mouth Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Papillomavirus Infections; Occupational Exposure; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Carcinogens
PubMed: 36443129
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjoms.2022.11.001 -
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Nov 2019Asbestos exposure is associated with mesothelioma and cancer of the lung, larynx and ovary. However, the association between asbestos exposure and colorectal cancer is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Asbestos exposure is associated with mesothelioma and cancer of the lung, larynx and ovary. However, the association between asbestos exposure and colorectal cancer is controversial despite several systematic reviews of the literature, including a number of meta-analyses. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate quantitatively the association between exposure to asbestos and colorectal cancer. We searched for articles on occupational asbestos exposure and colorectal cancer in PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science published before April 2018. In total, 44 articles were selected and 46 cohort studies were analysed. The overall pooled risk estimates and corresponding 95% CIs of the association between occupational asbestos exposure and colorectal cancer were calculated using a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity tests were also performed. There was a significantly increased risk of colorectal cancer mortality among workers exposed to asbestos occupationally, with an overall pooled SMR of 1.16 (95% CI: 1.05 to 1.29). The pooled SMR for colorectal cancer was elevated in studies in which the asbestos-associated risk of lung cancer was also elevated (1.43; 95% CI: 1.30 to 1.56). This implies that the risk of colorectal cancer mortality increases as the level of asbestos exposure rises. A sensitivity analysis showed robust results and there was no publication bias. Although the effect size was small and the heterogeneity among studies was large, our findings indicate that occupational exposure to asbestos is a risk factor for colorectal cancer.
Topics: Asbestos; Cohort Studies; Colorectal Neoplasms; Female; Hazardous Substances; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Occupational Exposure; Risk Factors
PubMed: 31594840
DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2019-105735 -
Human Mutation Jun 2007Despite the large body of mutational data available for melanoma and epidemiological studies linking this cancer to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), the fundamental... (Review)
Review
Despite the large body of mutational data available for melanoma and epidemiological studies linking this cancer to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), the fundamental carcinogenic mechanisms involved in melanoma remain largely unknown. To this end, we systematically reviewed, extracted, and analyzed mutational data from the extant melanoma literature in an effort to gain more insight into its early pathogenic events. We searched PubMed (1966-January 2006) using the words "mutation" AND "melanoma" in the title or abstract. Out of 2,095 returned results, there were 203 eligible studies that were subsequently analyzed. We cataloged 8,201 somatic and cultured melanoma specimens and annotated 2,041 reported somatic sequence variants. The single BRAF c.1799T>A (p.Val600Glu) alteration is the most prevalent variant while other A:T>T:A transversions were uncommon. Four highly-recurrent, non-ultraviolet B (UVB) changes account for most of the NRAS and BRAF variants. CDKN2A, PTEN/MMAC1, and TP53 harbored statistically higher rates of UVB signature changes (64.2%, 52.4%, and 69.2%, respectively) than oncogenic loci (NRAS: 15.3% and BRAF: 2.4%). More specifically, cutaneous melanomas showed a significantly higher proportion of UVB signature mutations at both TP53 and CDKN2A when compared to non-skin cancers using data from their respective locus-specific databases. Superficial spreading and nodular melanomas had the highest rates of BRAF (53.4%) and NRAS (28.0%) mutations. In melanoma, there is sufficient mutational evidence to support a role for direct UVB participation, especially at TP53 and CDKN2A. For oncogenes, the role for UVB is less clear since functionally-activating changes are uncommon and are subject to sequence constraints.
Topics: DNA Mutational Analysis; Genes, Tumor Suppressor; Humans; Melanoma; Mutation; Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced; Proto-Oncogenes; Skin Neoplasms; Ultraviolet Rays; Uveal Neoplasms
PubMed: 17295241
DOI: 10.1002/humu.20481 -
PloS One 2015Smoking and asbestos exposure are important risks for lung cancer. Several epidemiological studies have linked asbestos exposure and smoking to lung cancer. To reconcile... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis Review
Smoking and asbestos exposure are important risks for lung cancer. Several epidemiological studies have linked asbestos exposure and smoking to lung cancer. To reconcile and unify these results, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide a quantitative estimate of the increased risk of lung cancer associated with asbestos exposure and cigarette smoking and to classify their interaction. Five electronic databases were searched from inception to May, 2015 for observational studies on lung cancer. All case-control (N = 10) and cohort (N = 7) studies were included in the analysis. We calculated pooled odds ratios (ORs), relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random-effects model for the association of asbestos exposure and smoking with lung cancer. Lung cancer patients who were not exposed to asbestos and non-smoking (A-S-) were compared with; (i) asbestos-exposed and non-smoking (A+S-), (ii) non-exposure to asbestos and smoking (A-S+), and (iii) asbestos-exposed and smoking (A+S+). Our meta-analysis showed a significant difference in risk of developing lung cancer among asbestos exposed and/or smoking workers compared to controls (A-S-), odds ratios for the disease (95% CI) were (i) 1.70 (A+S-, 1.31-2.21), (ii) 5.65; (A-S+, 3.38-9.42), (iii) 8.70 (A+S+, 5.8-13.10). The additive interaction index of synergy was 1.44 (95% CI = 1.26-1.77) and the multiplicative index = 0.91 (95% CI = 0.63-1.30). Corresponding values for cohort studies were 1.11 (95% CI = 1.00-1.28) and 0.51 (95% CI = 0.31-0.85). Our results point to an additive synergism for lung cancer with co-exposure of asbestos and cigarette smoking. Assessments of industrial health risks should take smoking and other airborne health risks when setting occupational asbestos exposure limits.
Topics: Asbestos; Databases, Factual; Female; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Risk Factors; Smoking
PubMed: 26274395
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135798 -
Urologic Oncology Aug 2017The c-Met proto-oncogene pathway plays an important role in the progression of various cancers. However, the effect of the c-Met pathway on renal cell carcinoma (RCC)... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The c-Met proto-oncogene pathway plays an important role in the progression of various cancers. However, the effect of the c-Met pathway on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains controversial. We decided to clarify the role of c-Met in prognosis and clinicopathology of RCC.
METHODS
A total of 10 pairs of tumour and adjacent tissues were obtained from patients with primary RCC between 2013 and 2014 and tissue microarrays to assess c-Met expression in tumour tissues from 90 patients with RCC by Western blot and immunohistochemical staining. We also presented a meta-analysis to explore the correlation between c-Met and pathological grade and stage of RCC. The two-tailed Pearson's χ and Fischer exact tests were used to compare categorical variables. Multivariate analysis was performed using the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model.
RESULTS
C-Met protein levels were increased in 8 of 10 RCC tissue samples compared with their adjacent normal tissue and c-Met expression levels were positively associated with a high nuclear grade (P = 0.008) and pT stage (P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis showed that a high expression of c-Met was an independent predictor of disease-specific survival (P = 0.017). A meta-analysis found that increased c-Met expression in RCC tissues was closely correlated with high tumour grade (P<0.001) and high pT stage (P = 0.001). Most importantly, c-Met expression was significantly correlated with disease-specific survival (P<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Because c-Met is strongly associated with pathological grade, stage and disease-specific survival, c-Met levels may have potential to predict patient prognosis and to guide clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Biomarkers, Tumor; Carcinoma, Renal Cell; Disease-Free Survival; Female; Humans; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Kidney Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Proportional Hazards Models; Proto-Oncogene Mas; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met
PubMed: 28427859
DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2017.03.027 -
Occupational Medicine (Oxford, England) Dec 2023The association between asbestos exposure and ovarian cancer has been questioned given the possible misdiagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma as ovarian cancer.
BACKGROUND
The association between asbestos exposure and ovarian cancer has been questioned given the possible misdiagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma as ovarian cancer.
AIMS
To update a systematic review on ovarian cancer risk in women occupationally exposed to asbestos, exploring the association with the time since first exposure and the duration of exposure.
METHODS
We searched PubMed from 2008 onwards, screened previous systematic reviews, combined standardized mortality ratios (SMR) using random effect models and quantified heterogeneity using the I2 statistic. To assess tumour misclassification, we compared the distribution of observed excess ovarian cancers (OEOC) to that expected (EEOC) from the distribution of peritoneal cancers in strata of latency and exposure duration.
RESULTS
Eighteen publications (20 populations), including a pooled analysis of 21 cohorts, were included. The pooled SMR was 1.79 (95% confidence interval 1.38-2.31), with moderate heterogeneity between studies (I2 = 42%), based on 144 ovarian cancer deaths/cases. The risk was increased for women with indirect indicators of higher exposure, longer duration and latency, and lower for chrysotile than for crocidolite exposure. The effect of duration and latency could not be completely disentangled, since no multivariate analysis was available for time-related variables. The dissimilarity index between OEOC and EEOC for the time since first exposure was small suggesting a similar pattern of risk.
CONCLUSIONS
While some misclassification between ovarian and peritoneal cancers cannot be excluded, the observed excess risk of ovarian cancer should be added to the overall disease burden of asbestos.
Topics: Humans; Female; Asbestos; Ovarian Neoplasms; Risk; Occupational Exposure; Time Factors; Mesothelioma; Occupational Diseases; Lung Neoplasms
PubMed: 38072464
DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqad122 -
International Journal of Environmental... Dec 2022This study investigated the impact of residential radon exposure on human cancers (i.e., lung cancer and childhood leukemia) through a systematic review and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
This study investigated the impact of residential radon exposure on human cancers (i.e., lung cancer and childhood leukemia) through a systematic review and meta-analysis of case−control studies. A total of 9724 articles obtained from electronic databases were assessed; however, only 55 case−control studies were eligible after manually screening and eliminating unnecessary studies. The causal associations were addressed by determining the meta-analysis’s estimated size effects (i.e., ORs/RRs) of the meta-analysis. Residential radon was revealed to significantly increase the incidence of lung cancer and childhood leukemia with pooled ORs of 1.38 [1.19; 1.60] (I2 = 90%; p < 0.00001) and 1.43 [1.19; 1.72] (I2 = 0% and p = 0.51), respectively. In addition, subgroup analyses were performed to reduce the heterogeneity of the initial meta-analyses. The results provided strong evidence that inhaling radon in the indoor environments is closely associated with the development of lung cancer and childhood leukemia in patients living in Europe and areas with high radon levels (≥100 Bq/m3).
Topics: Humans; Child; Radon; Air Pollution, Indoor; Environmental Exposure; Lung Neoplasms; Case-Control Studies; Leukemia; Housing
PubMed: 36612419
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010097 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Aug 2023Formaldehyde is one of the most widely used substances in a variety of industries, although it was classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for... (Review)
Review
Formaldehyde is one of the most widely used substances in a variety of industries, although it was classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The present systematic review was conducted to retrieve studies related to occupational exposure to formaldehyde until November 2, 2022. Aims of the study were to identify workplaces exposed to formaldehyde, to investigate the formaldehyde concentrations in various occupations and to evaluate carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks caused by respiratory exposure to this chemical among workers. A systematic search was done in Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science databases to find the studies done in this field. In this review, studies that did not meet the criteria specified by Population, Exposure, Comparator, and Outcomes (PECO) approach were excluded. In addition, the inclusion of studies dealing with the biological monitoring of FA in the body and review studies, conference articles, books, and letters to the editors were avoided. The quality of the selected studies was also evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist for analytic-cross-sectional studies. Finally, 828 studies were found, and after the investigations, 35 articles were included in this study. The results revealed that the highest formaldehyde concentrations were observed in waterpipe cafes (1,620,000 μg/m) and anatomy and pathology laboratories (4237.5 μg/m). Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk indicated the potential health effects for employees due to respiratory exposure as acceptable levels of CR = 1.00 × 10 and HQ = 1, respectively were reported to be exceeded in more than 71% and 28.57% of the investigated studies. Therefore, according to the confirmation of formaldehyde's adverse health effects, it is necessary to adopt targeted strategies to reduce or eliminate exposure to this compound from the occupational usage.
Topics: Humans; Carcinogens; Cross-Sectional Studies; Formaldehyde; Occupational Exposure; Industry; Risk Assessment
PubMed: 37236589
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121854 -
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Aug 2015To conduct a systematic review of changes in lung function in relation to presence of pleural plaques in asbestos-exposed populations. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
To conduct a systematic review of changes in lung function in relation to presence of pleural plaques in asbestos-exposed populations.
METHODS
Database searches of PubMed and Web of Science were supplemented by review of papers' reference lists and journals' tables of contents. Methodological features (eg, consideration of potential confounding by smoking) of identified articles were reviewed by ≥ two reviewers. Meta-analyses of 20 studies estimated a summary effect of the decrements in per cent predicted (%pred) forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) associated with presence of pleural plaques.
RESULTS
Among asbestos-exposed workers, the presence of pleural plaques was associated with statistically significant decrements in FVC (4.09%pred, 95% CI 2.31 to 5.86) and FEV1 (1.99%pred, 95% CI 0.22 to 3.77). Effects of similar magnitude were seen when stratifying by imaging type (X-ray or high-resolution CT) and when excluding studies with potential methodological limitations. Undetected asbestosis was considered as an unlikely explanation of the observed decrements. Several studies provided evidence of an association between size of pleural plaques and degree of pulmonary decrease, and presence of pleural plaques and increased rate or degree of pulmonary impairment.
CONCLUSIONS
The presence of pleural plaques is associated with a small, but statistically significant mean difference in FVC and FEV1 in comparison to asbestos-exposed individuals without plaques or other abnormalities. From a public health perspective, small group mean decrements in lung function coupled with an increased rate of decline in lung function of the exposed population may be consequential.
Topics: Asbestos; Asbestosis; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Lung; Lung Diseases; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Pleura; Pleural Diseases; Smoking; Vital Capacity
PubMed: 25504898
DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2014-102468 -
Histology and Histopathology Nov 2016Ewing-like sarcomas (ELS) are a heterogenous group of tumors that frequently affect pediatric and young adult patients. Accurate classification and distinction from the... (Review)
Review
Ewing-like sarcomas (ELS) are a heterogenous group of tumors that frequently affect pediatric and young adult patients. Accurate classification and distinction from the Ewing sarcoma family of tumor (ESFT) is decisive in patient management. ELS share a significant morphologic, immunohistochemical and clinical overlap with ESFT, thus the differential diagnosis is challenging, especially with atypical ESFT and tumors with unusual immunoprofiles or uncommon clinicoradiological findings. A subset of ELS harboring the CIC-DUX4 or BCOR-CCNB3 fusions has been described recently. The spectrum of ELS is now expanding, and additional gene fusion partners besides DUX4 or CCNB3 have been detected, and the terms CIC or BCOR-rearranged sarcomas have recently been proposed. We review the clinical, histological, phenotypic and molecular findings of ESFT and these new emerging ELS.
Topics: Animals; Cyclin B; Humans; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Repressor Proteins; Sarcoma; Sarcoma, Ewing
PubMed: 27306060
DOI: 10.14670/HH-11-792