Cancer Epidemiology Unit

About: Cancer Epidemiology Unit is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Cancer. The organization has 669 authors who have published 1725 publications receiving 93979 citations.

Cancer incidence in a cohort of human immunodeficiency virus seroconverters

Abstract: BACKGROUND In addition to Kaposi's sarcoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, it has been postulated that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection may increase the risk of other cancers. The aim of the current study was to compare incidence rates of cancer among individuals who seroconverted for HIV infection with the rates in the general population of Italy. METHODS This study is part of an ongoing cohort investigation conducted by the HIV Italian Seroconversion Study Group. The study has enrolled 1255 individuals (906 males and 349 females) between the ages of 20 and 49 years who are at risk for HIV infection and have had a documented negative HIV test followed by a positive test. For each individual, the midpoint in time between the negative and positive tests was used to estimate the seroconversion date. The person-years at risk for cancer were then computed from the midpoint date to the last follow-up date or to death, and the number of cases of cancer observed in the cohort was compared with the expected number, based on rates among the general population of the same age and gender. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed. RESULTS A total of 58 cases of cancer were observed in the cohort. In comparison with rates in the general population, Kaposi's sarcoma was 1051 times more frequent, and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas were 157 times more frequent. Hodgkin's disease was observed in 3 men (i.e., 38 times more often in the cohort of HIV seroconverters [95% CI, 8-111]), in particular among homosexual men (SIR = 103). One woman developed stomach carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS The findings of the current incidence study are in agreement with previous studies showing excesses of Kaposi's sarcoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in HIV-positive individuals. In addition, the findings suggest an association of HIV infection with Hodgkin's disease. Whether Hodgkin's disease in HIV-infected individuals should be considered an AIDS-defining illness is a question that is worthy of attention. Cancer 1997; 79:1004-8. © 1997 American Cancer Society.

Changes in Site Distribution of Colorectal Carcinoma in Connecticut, 1940-1973

Abstract: The proportion of colorectal cancer occurring above the rectosigmoid junction has been increasing over time. The 40,771 cases of colorectal carcinoma reported to the Connecticut Tumor Registry from 1940 through 1973 were analyzed to determine the incidence in the ascending colon, the transverse, descending, and sigmoid colon, and the rectum. The numbers of cases, the proportion, and incidence rates of cancer in the ascending colon and sigmoid have increased over the 34 years. The increases were greatest among people over 65 years old. Only about half of colorectal cancer can now be identified with the rigid sigmoidoscope. Other tests must be used for early diagnosis of the increased numbers of cancers in the upper parts of the colon.

Risk of contralateral testicular cancer among men with unilaterally undescended testis: a meta analysis.

Abstract: The association between undescended testis (cryptorchidism) and testicular cancer is established, but it is not known whether the risk of testicular cancer among men with unilateral maldescent is increased in both testes, or only on the undescended side. This is a meta-analysis of 11 case-control studies and 1 cohort study that all assessed the risk of testicular cancer separately for the undescended and descended testis. We used fixed-effects meta-analysis to calculate pooled estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the relative risk. Of 199 tumors in men with unilateral cryptorchidism, 158 (79%) were on the ipsilateral side and 41 (21%) on the contralateral side. The pooled relative risks for testicular cancer in the ipsilateral and contralateral testis were 6.33 (95% CI, 4.30 to 9.31) and 1.74 (95% CI, 1.01 to 2.98), respectively. We conclude that in 1-sided undescended testis, the risk of testicular cancer may be increased in both testes, although to a much greater extent on the ipsilateral side.