Risk factors for Wilms tumor: Report from the national Wilms tumor study

Abstract

Background. Previous epidemiologic studies have indicated that several factors may be associated with an increased risk of Wilms tumor including paternal occupational exposures, maternal exposure during pregnancy to cigarettes, coffee or tea, oral contraceptives, hormonal pregnancy tests, hair‐coloring products, maternal hypertension, vaginal infection during pregnancy, and higher birth weight of the child. The current study examines the nonoccupational risk factors using questionnaire data from a large national collaborative clinical trial. Methods. Parents of 200 children registered with the National Wilms Tumor Study and 233 matched controls, identified using telephone random‐digit dialing, completed a self‐administered questionnaire about a variety of risk factors. Results. As opposed to some previous studies, no association was found for mother's smoking during pregnancy (10+ cigarettes per day; odds ratio [OR] = 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.40–1.34), maternal consumption of coffee or tea during pregnancy (4+ cups per day; OR = 1.31; CI = 0.57–3.01), or hypertension during pregnancy (OR = 0.96; CI = 0.45–2.06). In addition, no association was found in this study for hormone exposure during pregnancy, hair dye use, vaginal infection during pregnancy, or high birth weight. A previously unreported association with a history of household insect extermination was found (OR = 2.16; CI = 1.24–3.75). Conclusions. In general, the study failed to confirm most of the previously reported maternal risk factors for Wilms tumor. Understanding the possible role of paternal exposures may be the best objective for further research on potential risk factors for Wilms tumor.

Risk of childhood germ cell tumors in association with parental smoking and drinking

“…7,[17][18][19] Previous investigations on the association between smoking and a subsequent risk of childhood cancers have generated positive and negative results. 22,23,[33][34][35][36] The negative finding from our study, as well as an earlier study 37 on GCT, might be a result of the finding that the carcinogenic effect of smoking is offset by its antiestrogenic effect. 18,19 Whereas alcohol and its metabolites have been shown to be teratogenic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic, 38 -40 the relation between alcohol consumption and childhood cancers has not always been consistent across studies.…”

Birth characteristics and Wilms tumor in Minnesota

“…Previous case-control studies have shown both increased risk for high birth weight [13][14][15] and no association. [10][11][12] A cohort study in Norway found no association between WT and birth weight. 17 Two other studies have compared case series to standard population data.…”

“…Several studies have found an increased risk of WT based on paternal occupational exposure to various chemicals including pesticides, 4,5 lead or hydrocarbons [6][7][8] and boron. 9 Other exogenous risk factors, such as maternal antibiotic use, 10 household pest extermination, 10 maternal use of hair coloring products, 11 tea consumption, 11 vaginal infections 11 and penthrane exposure, 12 have been associated with WT only in single studies. Birth characteristics as risk factors for WT have been examined with some frequency.…”

“…High birth weight has been most often studied, with several findings of an increased risk for WT for children with a birth weight above 4,000 g, [13][14][15][16] although other studies have shown no association. [10][11][12]17,18 Maternal hypertension, [10][11][12]15 advanced maternal age, [10][11][12]15,17,19,20 Apgar score 17 and pregnancy complications 14 have demonstrated little or no evidence of association with WT.…”

Exposure to Pesticides and Childhood Cancer Risk: Has there been any Progress in Epidemiological Studies?

“…Zahm and Ward [15] in their 1998 review found two studies based on the subjects' reports of household or occupational and parental agricultural use of pesticides, which showed elevated risks of Wilms' tumor [39,40]. These findings were not confirmed by other 3 studies of pesticide exposure determined by paternal occupational title or imputed from occupational titles using job-exposure matrices [41][42][43].…”