Sinonasal cancer and occupation: a case-control study

Abstract

In reviews of malignancy and occupation, cancer of the nose and paranasal sinuses (sinonasal cancer (SNC) is frequently mentioned. In a case-control study of SNC among subjects who died in Connecticut in the period 1935--1975, occupations from death certificates and city directories were compared to job titles taken from previous literature. The results do not support an association of the cancer with nickel (odds ratio = 0.7, 95% confidence limits (CL): 0.4, 1.5) but do support an association with cutting oils (odds ratio = 2.8, 95% CL: 1.4, 5.7) and wood dust (odds ratio = 4.0, 95% CL: 1.5, 10.8). Actual exposure to these agents was not documented, but the results were consistent with other features of the study and with previous literature. In a search for other occupational correlates, SNC was also found to be positively associated with cutters and with construction workers.