Sarcomas of soft tissues after Vietnam service

Abstract

Vietnam service and military service experiences of 281 men with sarcomas of soft tissues were compared in this epidemiologic study to a control group of men derived from driver's license files and matched on 5-year period of birth and ZIP code of residence. No direct association was found for service in Vietnam (odds ratio, 0.53; confidence limits, 0.21-1.31) or for any military service (odds ratio, 0.53; confidence limits, 0.37-0.76). A multivariate matched logistic regression analysis showed similar results for Vietnam service while controlling for military service. Results also were similar when the 130 cases who had died were compared to a second control group derived from death certificates. Finally, no significant associations were found for "Agent Orange" or other variables that might be related to herbicide exposure.