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Acetaminophen and renal and bladder cancer
1Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Program, Boston University Medical Center, Lexington, MA, USA.
Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.)
|July 1, 1996
Summary
Heavy acetaminophen use may increase renal cancer risk. This study found a 2.6 times higher risk for renal cancer in heavy users compared to non-users. Bladder cancer risk showed only a small increase.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Phenacetin, a precursor drug, is linked to renal and bladder cancer.
- Acetaminophen is a known metabolite of phenacetin.
- Understanding acetaminophen's independent role in carcinogenesis is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between heavy acetaminophen use and the risk of renal cancer.
- To assess the relationship between heavy acetaminophen use and the risk of bladder cancer.
Main Methods:
- Matched case-control studies were conducted using data from Group Health Cooperative.
- Renal cancer: 222 cases and 885 controls (1980-1991).
- Bladder cancer: 504 cases and 2,009 controls.
- Exposure defined by prescription data for acetaminophen and related drugs.
Main Results:
- A relative risk of 2.6 for renal cancer was observed in subjects with 40+ acetaminophen prescriptions (95% CL = 1.1, 6.0).
- Heavy acetaminophen users showed a small increased risk for bladder cancer (odds ratio = 1.3; 95% CL = 0.6, 2.8).
- No significant association was found for bladder cancer risk at heavy exposure levels.
Conclusions:
- Heavy acetaminophen consumption is associated with an increased risk of renal cancer.
- The association between heavy acetaminophen use and bladder cancer risk appears minimal.
- Further research may be warranted to elucidate the specific mechanisms.