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Febrile infections and malignant melanoma: results of a case-control study
K F Kölmel1, O Gefeller, B Haferkamp
1Department of Dermatology, University of Göttingen, Germany.
Abstract:
Several reports have described an inverse relationship between the frequency of infections and various malignancies. In this paper results of a hospital-based case control study on 139 melanoma patients and 271 suitable selected controls are presented, addressing the question of whether this relationship exists with respect to malignant melanoma while simultaneously controlling for the effects of other risk factors. Data on childhood diseases (group I), febrile diseases of adulthood (group II) and common febrile infections within a 5-year period prior to the diagnosis of melanoma (group III) were collected using a standardized interview. Group I diseases did not show a marked influence on the risk of malignant melanoma. Considering group II diseases, a significant protective effect was determined for chronic infectious diseases (OR = 0.32) and also for wound infections, abscesses and furunculosis (OR = 0.21). In group III, herpes simplex infections (OR = 0.45) and influenza/common cold (OR = 0.32) substantially reduced the melanoma risk. This effect was less pronounced for gastroenteritis (OR = 0.52). Analysis of the cumulative influence of infections pointed to a strong dose-response relationship between the frequency of febrile infections in adulthood and malignant melanoma. In particular, the risk reduction was striking when two or more febrile infections were compared to no febrile infections in group II (OR = 0.09) and group III (OR = 0.20). The study confirms the hypothesis that an inverse relationship exists between febrile infections and malignant melanoma, but these results have to be interpreted cautiously due to the inherent limitations of the case-control design.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Insights
Fewer infections may increase melanoma risk. This study found that adult febrile infections, particularly chronic or multiple instances, were associated with a significantly reduced risk of malignant melanoma.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Previous studies suggest an inverse relationship between infection frequency and malignancy.
- The specific association between infections and malignant melanoma risk requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between infection history and malignant melanoma risk.
- To control for other known risk factors in this association.
Main Methods:
- A hospital-based case-control study was conducted.
- 139 melanoma patients and 271 controls were interviewed about childhood diseases, adult febrile diseases, and recent infections.
Main Results:
- Childhood diseases showed no significant impact on melanoma risk.
- Adult chronic infectious diseases, wound infections, abscesses, and furunculosis demonstrated a protective effect (OR=0.32 and OR=0.21, respectively).
- Herpes simplex and influenza/common cold infections in the 5 years prior to diagnosis significantly reduced melanoma risk (OR=0.45 and OR=0.32, respectively).
- A strong dose-response relationship was observed; two or more adult febrile infections correlated with substantially lower melanoma risk (OR=0.09 in group II, OR=0.20 in group III).
Conclusions:
- The study supports the hypothesis of an inverse relationship between febrile infections and malignant melanoma.
- The findings suggest that a history of certain adult infections may be protective against melanoma.
- Results should be interpreted cautiously due to the case-control study design limitations.