Proximity to endocrine-disrupting pesticides and risk of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) among adolescents: A population-based case-control study in California

Abstract Background Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCT) are the most frequent cancers in young men in developed countries and their incidence rate has doubled worldwide over the past 40 years. Early life exposures to pesticides are suspected to increase TGCT risk. Our research aimed at estimating adult TGCT risk associated with parental domestic use of pesticides during early periods of child development. Methods We conducted a case-control study of 304 TGCT cases, aged 18–45 years old, recruited in 20 French university hospitals, and 274 controls frequency-matched on hospital and birth year. Participants’ mothers provided information on their domestic use of pesticides from 1 year before start of pregnancy to 1 year after their son’s birth, for gardening activities, treatment of indoor plants, pets, wood and mold, and pest control. Odds ratios (OR) for TGCT (overall and by histological subtype) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using conditional logistic regression. Results Prevalence of reported domestic use of pesticides was 77.3% for insecticides, 15.9% for fungicides and 12.1% for herbicides. While no association was found for any use of insecticides (OR = 1.27, CI = 0.80–2.01) or herbicides (OR = 1.15, CI = 0.67–2.00), elevated risks of TGCT overall (OR = 1.73, CI = 1.04–2.87) and non-seminoma subtype (OR = 2.44, CI = 1.26–4.74) were observed for any use of fungicides. When specific purposes were examined, using fungicides and/or insecticides for woodwork (OR = 2.35, CI = 1.06–5.20) and using insecticides on cats and dogs (OR = 1.95, CI = 1.12–3.40) were associated with increased risk of non-seminoma subtype. We found no association for seminoma subtype. Conclusions Although recall bias may partially explain the elevated ORs, our study provides some evidence of a positive association between domestic use of pesticides during early periods of development, particularly fungicides and risk of adult TGCT and non-seminoma. Given the common domestic use of pesticides in France, further research on TGCT risk is warranted.

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A population-based case–control study on social factors and risk of testicular germ cell tumours

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2013-003833 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 3 (9) ◽

pp. e003833 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Nils Schmeisser ◽

David I Conway ◽

Andreas Stang ◽

Ingeborg Jahn ◽

Christa Stegmaier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Germ Cell ◽

Social Factors ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Population Based ◽

Case Control ◽

Germ Cell Tumours ◽

Testicular Germ Cell ◽

Testicular Germ Cell Tumours ◽

Control Study

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Parental occupation and childhood germ cell tumors: a case–control study in Denmark, 1968–2016

Cancer Causes & Control ◽

10.1007/s10552-021-01434-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Clinton Hall ◽

Johnni Hansen ◽

Jørn Olsen ◽

Di He ◽

Ondine S. von Ehrenstein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Germ Cell ◽

Maternal Employment ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Germ Cell Tumors ◽

Social Contact ◽

Case Control ◽

Yolk Sac ◽

Parental Occupation ◽

Yolk Sac Tumors ◽

Control Study

Abstract Purpose To examine associations between parental occupation and childhood germ cell tumors (GCTs) in offspring while distinguishing by common histologic subtype (i.e., yolk sac tumor and teratoma). Methods This population-based case–control study included childhood GCT cases in Denmark diagnosed 1968–2015 (< 16 years old at diagnosis) and sex and birth year-matched controls. Demographic information and parental employment histories were obtained from Danish registries. Parental occupation was assessed by industry; job-exposure matrices were used to examine specific occupational exposures (i.e., potentially carcinogenic organic solvents and social contact). Conditional multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Overall, 178 childhood GCT cases (50 yolk sac tumors; 65 teratomas) and 4,355 controls were included for analysis. Maternal employment in education during pregnancy was associated with offspring GCTs (OR 2.45, 95% CI 1.23–4.90), especially yolk sac tumors (OR 5.27, 95% CI 1.94–14.28). High levels of both maternal and paternal occupational social contact were also associated with offspring yolk sac tumors across all exposure periods (ORs 2.30–4.63). No signals were observed for paternal occupational solvent exposure, while imprecise associations were estimated for maternal exposure (e.g., dichloromethane exposure during pregnancy, OR 1.51, 95% CI 0.77–2.95). Conclusion Our findings suggest that parental occupation is associated with offspring GCTs, with most consistent evidence supporting an association between maternal employment in education or other high social contact jobs and offspring yolk sac tumors.

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