A proposed explanation for female predominance in alveolar soft part sarcoma

Abstract

Background Knowledge was gathered on occupational demands and health effects of two occupations in the construction industry, bricklayers and supervisors, in order to design a job‐specific workers' health surveillance (WHS) for construction workers. Methods We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, HSELINE, NIOSHTIC‐2, and Picarta up to December 2008. Results A total of 60 articles were included. Evidence was found for the following demands for bricklayers: energetic load (exceeding 25% heart rate reserve), load on the lower back (exceeding the NIOSH‐threshold value of 3.4 kN), repetitive force exertions of the upper extremities, frequent bending with trunk flexion exceeding 60° and working with the arms more than 60° elevated. Environmental demands include: dust and quartz exposure (exceeding the limit values of 3.0 and 0.05 mg/m3, respectively), vibration and noise (exceeding the limit value of 80 dBA). Bricklayers are at increased risk of lung cancer, low back pain, complaints of arms and legs and getting injuries. Among construction supervisors are walking and standing common physically demanding activities. Psychosocial demands with evidence for supervisors were mental demands, workload, time pressure, working long hours, and social–organizational factors. Supervisors are at increased risk of lung cancer and injuries. Conclusions For bricklayers evidence was found for physical demands and risk on low back pain and complaints of arms and legs, for construction supervisors on psychosocial demands. Both occupations are at increased risk of lung cancer and injuries. Job‐specific demands and health effects should be incorporated in WHS for construction workers. Am. J. Ind. Med. 54:55–77, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Primary Cardiac Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma. A Report of the First Observed Case with Molecular Diagnostics Corroboration

“…The female preponderance is not limited to our cases, but has been documented by others [7,8]. Bu and Bernstein have offered their explanation for the female predilection as noninactivation of the ASPS gene on the second X chromosome [19].…”

Huge alveolar soft part sarcoma of the retroperitoneum –

“…Alveolar soft part sarcoma was found to be caused by a specific unbalanced translocation, der(17)t(X:17)(p11;p25), which results in the formation of an ASPL-TFE3 fusion gene [9]. ASPS has a slight female predilection in younger patients, which is hypothesized to be caused by an extra X chromosome that may be susceptible to mutation [10]. However, there is a male preponderance in older patients [5,11].…”

AIRP Best Cases in Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation: Alveolar Soft-Part Sarcoma

“…Cytogenetic analysis reveals a specific chromosomal abnormality involving chromosomes X and 17, which causes nuclear overexpression of transcription enhancer factor 3 (TEF3) (7,11). Some authors hypothesize that involvement of chromosome X renders ASPS more prevalent in females (12). According to the National Cancer Institute registry, 196 of 317 studied cases (62%) occurred in females (12).…”