Related Experiment Videos
Risk factors for Wilms tumor. Report from the National Wilms Tumor Study
A F Olshan1, N E Breslow, J M Falletta
1Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Cancer
|August 1, 1993
Summary
This study found no link between common maternal exposures during pregnancy and Wilms tumor risk. Household insect extermination, however, was a newly identified risk factor for this childhood cancer.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Epidemiology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Previous studies suggested links between Wilms tumor risk and paternal occupational exposures, maternal smoking, coffee/tea consumption, oral contraceptives, hormonal pregnancy tests, hair-coloring products, maternal hypertension, vaginal infections, and high birth weight.
- The current research focuses on non-occupational risk factors for Wilms tumor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate non-occupational risk factors for Wilms tumor.
- To evaluate previously reported associations between maternal exposures and Wilms tumor risk.
- To identify novel risk factors for Wilms tumor.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 200 children with Wilms tumor and 233 matched controls.
- Data collected via self-administered questionnaires completed by parents.
- Utilized telephone random-digit dialing for control group identification.
Main Results:
- No significant association was found for maternal smoking (10+ cigarettes/day), coffee/tea consumption (4+ cups/day), hypertension during pregnancy, hormone exposure, hair dye use, vaginal infection, or high birth weight.
- A novel association was identified between Wilms tumor and a history of household insect extermination (Odds Ratio = 2.16, 95% Confidence Interval = 1.24-3.75).
Conclusions:
- The study did not confirm most previously reported maternal risk factors for Wilms tumor.
- Further research should prioritize investigating paternal exposures as potential risk factors for Wilms tumor.