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HERO ID
2947820
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Dermatological exposure to coal tar and bladder cancer risk: a case-control study
Author(s)
Roelofzen, JH; Aben, KK; Van de Kerkhof, PC; Van der Valk, PG; Kiemeney, LA
Year
2015
Is Peer Reviewed?
1
Journal
Urologic Oncology
ISSN:
1078-1439
EISSN:
1873-2496
Volume
33
Issue
1
Page Numbers
20.e19-20.e22
Language
English
PMID
24629496
DOI
10.1016/j.urolonc.2013.12.006
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
Coal tar ointments are used as treatment of various skin diseases, especially psoriasis and eczema. These ointments contain several carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Metabolites of these polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are excreted in the urine and therefore, dermatological use of coal tar may be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between dermatological use of coal tar ointments and bladder cancer.
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
A population-based case-control study was conducted including 1,387 cases diagnosed with bladder cancer and 5,182 population controls. Information on the use of coal tar, history of skin disease, and known risk factors for bladder cancer was obtained through postal questionnaires. Logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the risk of bladder cancer after coal tar treatment, adjusted for age, gender, smoking status, duration of smoking, and intensity of smoking.
RESULTS:
The use of coal tar ointments was approximately equal among cases and controls (3.8% vs. 3.0%, respectively). Dermatological application of coal tar was not significantly associated with bladder cancer (adjusted odds ratio = 1.37, 95% CI: 0.93-2.01). An inverse association between bladder cancer and a history of skin disease was observed (adjusted odds ratio = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.61-0.90).
CONCLUSION:
This is the first study with a specific aim to study the association between the use of coal tar preparations and bladder cancer. The results suggest that there is no reason for safety concerns with respect to the risk of bladder cancer after the use of coal tar preparations in dermatological practice.
Tag
IRIS
•
Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)
Identified During External Peer Review
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