PubMed ID: 1451071
Author(s): Ajani UA, Seddon JM, Hsieh CC, Egan KM, Albert DM, Gragoudas ES. Occupation and risk of uveal melanoma. An exploratory study. Cancer. 1992 Dec 15;70(12):2891-900. PMID 1451071
Journal: Cancer, Volume 70, Issue 12, Dec 1992
BACKGROUND Little is known about the cause of uveal melanoma, the most common primary intraocular malignant lesion in adults. This population-based case-control study evaluated occupational exposures.
METHODS One hundred ninety-seven newly diagnosed cases of uveal melanoma participated. Approximately two control subjects matched for age, sex, and telephone exchange area were selected for each case by random-digit dialing. Data were collected by a structured telephone interview. Two systems of occupational coding were used: an occupation-exposure linkage system and the Bureau of Census data. Conditional logistic regression for matched studies was used to examine various occupational exposures while controlling for previously reported potential confounders and for family income. The occupation-exposure matrix was used to define clusters of cases exposed to a particular chemical group from various occupations.
RESULTS Odds ratios were elevated for agriculture and farming work for both industry and occupation; this was consistent across both classification systems. Elevated odds ratios also were found for occupations involving machine operations, fabrication, assembling, equipment cleaning, and exposure to metal industries. Exposure to alkylating agents and phenols was associated with a lower risk compared with all other exposures. Several self-reported exposures also were studied. Exposures associated with elevated odds ratios were inks, insecticides, gases, radioactive substances, polybromated biphenyls, and chemical solvents.
CONCLUSIONS This exploratory study suggests various occupational associations for uveal melanoma and areas for future research.