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Query: UMLS:C0345904 (liver cancer)
 15,188 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The cohort consisted of 10,173 men who had worked for at least one year in jobs involving exposure to vinyl chloride prior to 1 January 1973. These men were employed at 37 plants in the U.S., belonging to 17 companies. Observation of the mortality experience of the cohort was updated from 31 December 1972 to 31 December 1982 (the study now covering 1942-1982). A total of 1,536 cohort members were identified as having died. The observed mortality, by cause, was compared with the expected based on U.S. mortality rates, standardized for age, race, and calendar time. Analyses by length of exposure, latency, age at first exposure, calendar year of first exposure, and type of products were performed. The study confirmed that the vinyl chloride workers experience a significant mortality excesses in angiosarcoma (15 deaths), cancer of the liver and biliary tract (SMR = 641), and cancer of the brain and other central nervous system (SMR = 180). In addition, the study also found a significant mortality excess in emphysema/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (SMR = 179). On the other hand, the study did not find any excess in either respiratory cancer or lymphatic and hematopoietic cancer. This study also found an increase in biliary tract cancers, independent from liver cancer.
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PMID:An industry-wide epidemiologic study of vinyl chloride workers, 1942-1982. 821 53

There is little known about the incidence of cancer among sewage workers. In this paper we examine findings from a retrospective cohort study of 487 white male sewer authority workers employed between January 1950 and October 1979. Vital status was ascertained for 93% of the cohort yielding a total of 6,886 person years. Total mortality from all causes was comparable to that of the general white male U.S. population (Standardized Mortality Ratio [SMR] = 0.91, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.77-1.07). The cohort was subdivided into those not exposed, and sewer workers who were exposed to sewage effluent, sludge, or wastewater containing chemicals including potential carcinogens. Among the nonexposed group, mortality from all causes was significantly low (SMR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.33-0.88). Among the exposed sewer workers, mortality from all causes was not significantly different from that of the general white male U.S. population (SMR = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.84-1.19). Mortality from all cancers among exposed sewer workers was slightly higher than that of the general population (SMR = 1.19, 95% CI = 0.79-1.7). Statistically significant elevated mortality ratios were seen for cancer of the larynx (SMR = 7.93, 95% CI = 1.59-23.96), and cancer of the liver (SMR = 5.4, 95% CI = 1.10-16.05). Careful study of the medical and occupational histories of these cases suggested that larynx cancer was possibly work-related, while liver cancer was not. A group estimated to be the highest exposed, composed predominantly of operatives, had a higher directly adjusted death rate from all malignant neoplasms combined compared to all other workers (rate ratio = 1.64). These findings of increased risk of cancer among exposed sewage workers, especially operators, are based on small number of cases and should be interpreted with caution. Studies of larger cohorts are needed to clarify the risk of these cancers among sewage workers.
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PMID:Retrospective cohort mortality study of cancer among sewage plant workers. 198 40

Work history records and fitness reports were obtained for 1,767 marine inspectors of the U.S. Coast Guard between 1942 and 1970 and for a comparison group of 1,914 officers who had never been marine inspectors. Potential exposure to chemicals was assessed by one of the authors (RP), who is knowledgeable about marine inspection duties. Marine inspectors and noninspectors had a deficit in overall mortality compared to that expected from the general U.S. population (standardized mortality ratios [SMRs = 79 and 63, respectively]). Deficits occurred for most major causes of death, including infectious and parasitic diseases, digestive and urinary systems, and accidents. Marine inspectors had excesses of cirrhosis of the liver (SMR = 136) and motor vehicle accidents (SMR = 107), and cancers of the lymphatic and hematopoietic system (SMR = 157), whereas noninspectors had deficits for these causes of death. Comparison of mortality rates directly adjusted to the age distribution of the inspectors and noninspectors combined also demonstrated that mortality for these causes of death was greater among inspectors than noninspectors (directly adjusted ratio ratios of 190, 145, and 198) for cirrhosis of the liver, motor vehicle accidents, and lymphatic and hematopoietic system cancer, respectively. The SMRs rose with increasing probability of exposure to chemicals for motor vehicle accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, and leukemia, which suggests that contact with chemicals during inspection of merchant vessels may be involved in the development of these diseases among marine inspectors.
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PMID:Mortality among United States Coast Guard marine inspectors. 275 50

A significant increase in lung cancer was observed in a previous study on the mortality experience of a cohort of 1332 male workers employed between 1959 and 1980 in a resin manufacturing plant. Due to the limited exposure and an inadequate follow-up, it was not possible to make a thorough analysis of the potential association of this elevated risk with exposure to formaldehyde. The study was therefore continued and extended for a further six years (1980-1986), in order to overcome the limitations. Despite these attempts, however, there were still 219 workers whose specific exposure could not be identified. Lung cancer risk in the whole cohort (27,202 person-years) was equal to that of the local population (observed = 24; expected = 23.9). Among those definitely exposed to formaldehyde, 6 lung cancer cases were observed and 8.7 were expected, while those with non-specified exposure exhibited an increase risk (observed = 9; SMR = 211); they were mainly short-term workers employed at the beginning of operations. The previously suggested increase in haematologic neoplasms was confirmed (observed = 7; SMR = 143); the risk was highest among formaldehyde-exposed workers (observed = 3; SMR = 173). Five deaths due to primary liver cancer were observed, while 2.0 would have been expected from the local population rates (SMR = 244); the increased risk was fairly evenly distributed across the exposure categories (exposed to formaldehyde, SMR = 244; non-exposed to formaldehyde, SMR = 227; non-specified exposure = 287); however, all cases were first exposed at the age of 45 years or older. A noteworthy finding was a 50% increase in mortality from respiratory diseases. The increase was mainly apparent among those with longest and earliest exposure, employed in operations classified as involving exposures other than formaldehyde (observed = 9; SMR = 224). Overall, the results of this extended study do not provide sufficient grounds for associating work in formaldehyde resin production in this plant with increased carcinogenic risk; however, limitations in the individual exposure classification and suggestions of an increased risk for certain tumours preclude considering the study as negative. The numerous airborne irritative agents present in the plant environment appeared to have increased the risk of respiratory disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:[Carcinogenic risk for resin producers exposed to formaldehyde: extension of follow-up]. 277 Jun 16

Epidemiologic historical cohort studies of petroleum refinery and chemical manufacturing workers in Texas were reviewed to examine their cancer mortality in comparison to the U.S. and to assess the possible impact of cancer mortality among these workers on the State of Texas as a whole. Summary standardized mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for 20 cancer types, taking into account the heterogeneity of individual studies. There were 4314 cancer deaths among the 92,318 workers employed in 10 independent plant populations. Overall, there was a significant deficit in cancer mortality among petrochemical workers compared with the general U.S. population (SMR = 88, 95% CI = 80 to 96). Only the summary SMRs for brain cancer (SMR = 113, 95% CI = 96 to 133) and leukemias (SMR = 112, 95% CI = 94 to 130) approached statistical significance. Lung and liver cancer mortality excesses, noted for Texas as a whole, were decreased in these workers. Additional follow-up of these cohorts, their expansion to include minority and female workers, and additional study of possible occupational contributions to leukemia and brain cancer are recommended.
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PMID:Cancer mortality among petroleum refinery and chemical manufacturing workers in Texas. 925 26

The aim of the present study is to investigate cause-specific mortality among male workers employed in vinyl chloride manufacture and polymerization in three Italian plants located in Ferrara, Rosignano and Ravenna. The cohorts include all workers hired between start of operation and, respectively 1985, 1978 and 1985, amounting to 418, 206 and 635 subjects followed up for mortality until 1996 (Ferrara and Rosignano) and 1997 (Ravenna). Cause specific SMRs (Standardized mortality ratios) were computed. Expected figures were obtained from mortality rates for the population resident in the region where the plant was located, for each SMR value a 90% confidence interval (CI) was calculated on the assumption of a Poisson distribution. The study detected an increased mortality for primary liver cancer in all three plants; SMR values were 444 in Ferrara (4 Obs. 90% CI 160-1069), 200 in Rosignano (1 Obs. 90% CI 10-869) and 375 in Ravenna (3 Obs. 90% CI 110-1038). In the pooled cohort liver cancer SMR was equal to 364 (8 Obs. 90% CI 108-390). In one plant, Ferrara, observed mortality was above the expected for lung cancer, SMR = 146 (14 Obs. 90% CI 89-229) and for larynx cancer, SMR = 500 (4 Obs. 90% CI 174-1167). One death from pleural cancer was observed in Rosignano (SMR = 1000 90% CI 47-4331). A non significant increase was detected for liver cirrhosis, in Ferrara (SMR 108, 6 Obs. 90% CI 73-332) and Rosignano (SMR 129, 3 Obs. 90% CI 35-332). The study results are confirming the carcinogenic action of vinyl chloride on the liver, they are pointing to its possible role in lung cancer development, as already shown for workers employed in Porto Marghera; an increased risk for larynx cancer is also shown.
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PMID:[An epidemiological study of workers exposed to vinyl chloride in the plants of Ferrara, Rosignano and Ravenna]. 1005 61

Studies of overlapping cohorts in the United States have shown an excess mortality from brain cancer in vinyl chloride (VC)-exposed workers. One plant located in Louisville, Kentucky, is included in many of these studies. We separated this plant from the large US cohort and re-analyzed the mortality experience. Louisville experienced significantly elevated liver (standardized mortality analyses [SMR] = 400) and brain cancer (SMR = 229) mortality. Liver cancer mortality remained significantly elevated (SMR = 344) in the remaining cohort; however, brain cancer mortality was markedly reduced (SMR = 112) when Louisville was removed. In contrast with liver cancer, a preliminary review of work assignments did not suggest that the brain cancer excess was related to VC exposure. The Louisville brain cancer cluster has had a significant impact on the reported literature. Although unrelated to VC, the cause of this cluster remains uncertain.
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PMID:Vinyl chloride and liver and brain cancer at a polymer production plant in Louisville, Kentucky. 1276 78

The investigation describes mortality of vinyl chloride exposed workers in the Montedison-Enichem plant located in Porto Marghera, near Venice, Italy. A total of 1658 workers employed from start of production (1950), present in 1956 or successively hired until 1985, were followed up between 01.01.1973 and 31.07.1999, for a total of 41.037 person years at risk: 248 deaths were observed. Mortality from all causes compared with regional population was lower than expected, (SMR 0.75; 90% CI 0.68-0.83) and from all malignant neoplasms similar to expected (SMR 0.94; 90% CI 0.81-1.09). SMR for primary liver cancer was significantly increased (SMR 2.78 90% CI 1.86-4.14). In the first year since leaving employment observed mortality was significantly above the null value for all causes (SMR 2.76; 90% CI 1.94-3.91), all malignant neoplasms (SMR 1.89; 90% CI 0.97-3.92) and cardiovascular diseases (SMR 2.37; 90% CI 1.13-4.95). Mortality rates for liver angiosarcoma (6 cases) increased with latency (trend test x 2 (1df) = 25.20 p < 0.001) and cumulative exposure (trend test x 2 (1df) = 61.00 p < 0.001), there were no cases with duration of employment less than 12 years, latency less than 10 years and for cumulative exposure less than 2.379 ppm-years. Mortality rates for hepatocellular carcinoma (12 cases) and liver cirrhosis (20 cases) showed a similar pattern for cumulative exposure. Observed mortality from lung cancer was higher than expected among those workers whose only job title was bagger. In the analysis accounting for latency, age and calendar period the RR for only bagger was 2.31 (90% CI 1.15-4.61). Mortality pattern for all causes, all malignancies and cardiovascular disease increased by time since employment, as expected in presence of a particularly strong Healthy Worker Effect (HWE). These results and the increased SMR values during the first year since leaving employment indicate that workers were selected into employment on the basis of good health conditions and early selective removal of weaker ones followed. The study results confirm the causal relationship between VCM exposure and liver angiosarcoma, and add supplementary evidence in favour of a causal explanation of the excess risk for hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis as well as lung cancer among only baggers.
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PMID:[Epidemiologic study of workers exposed to vinyl chloride in Porto Marghera: mortality update]. 1295 35