Occupational risk factors for renal cell carcinoma: agent-specific results from a case-control study in Germany

Abstract

Background This case-control study was conducted to estimate the renal cell cancer (RCC) risk for exposure to occupation-related agents, besides other suspected risk factors. Methods In a population-based multicentre study, 935 incident RCC cases and 4298 controls matched for region, sex, and age were interviewed between 1991 and 1995 for their occupational history and lifestyle habits. Agent-specific exposure was expert-rated with two job-exposure matrices and a job task-exposure matrix. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate smoking adjusted odds ratios (OR). Results Very long exposures in the chemical, rubber, and printing industries were associated with risk for RCC. Males considered as ‘substantially exposed to organic solvents’ showed a significant excess risk (OR = 1.6, 95% CI : 1.1–2.3). In females substantial exposure to solvents was also a significant risk factor (OR = 2.1, 95% CI : 1.0–4.4). Excess risks were shown for high exposure to cadmium (OR = 1.4, 95% CI : 1.1–1.8, in men, OR = 2.5, 95% CI : 1.2–5.3 in women), for substantial exposure to lead (OR = 1.5, 95% CI : 1.0–2.3, in men, OR = 2.6, 95% CI : 1.2–5.5, in women) and to solder fumes (OR = 1.5, 95% CI : 1.0–2.4, in men). In females, an excess risk for the task ‘soldering, welding, milling’ was found (OR = 3.0, 95% CI : 1.1–7.8). Exposure to paints, mineral oils, cutting fluids, benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and asbestos showed an association with RCC development. Conclusions Our results indicate that substantial exposure to metals and solvents may be nephrocarcinogenic. There is evidence for a gender-specific susceptibility of the kidneys.