Pleural mesothelioma in New Caledonia: an acute environmental concern
Tuesday, February 27th, 2007.
Cancer Detection and Prevention. 2007;31(1):70-6. Epub 2007 Feb 23. [Link]
Baumann F, Rougier Y, Ambrosi JP, Robineau BP.
Institut Pasteur de Nouvelle-Caledonie, Department of Epidemiology, BP 61-Noumea cedex 98845, New Caledonia. fbaumann@pasteur.nc
Correspondence and requests for reprints should be addressed to Dario Ghigo, Dipartimento di Genetica, Biologia e Biochimica (Sezione di Biochimica), Via Santena, 5/bis, 10126 Torino, Italy. E-mail: dario.ghigo@unito.it
Abstract
Background: In 1991, a relationship was established between excess cases of pleural cancer in New Caledonia and a traditional lime, called “Pö”, to cover houses. Our study aimed to determine whether the Pö is the only cause of mesothelioma in New Caledonia.
Methods: Eligible cases were pleural tumor diagnosed between 1984 and 2002 with histological diagnosis of mesothelioma. For each case, two controls were selected from the cancer registry. Cases and controls were compared for the ethnic groups and the places of residence. To identify environmental risk factors, we used first a qualitative analysis comparing villages with and without mesothelioma cases, then a linear regression including Pö, mining activity and serpentinite in surface soil.
Results: Sixty-eight cases were included: 37 men and 31 women. Melanesians had the highest risk (OR=16.18; 95% CI=[5.68; 49.64]) and 30% of the cases lived in Houailou (OR=119). Mining activity and Pö were not significant risk factors. The existence of a significant relationship between soil containing serpentinite and mesothelioma was demonstrated (p=0.017). The sex ratio close to 1 and the number of young cases are consistent with environmental exposure.
Conclusion: Pö did not explain all cases; only serpentinite in the soil was identified as a significant risk factor. A research project has been initiated in the area around Houailou, with the objective of constructing a model taking into account: exposure to the Pö, exposure to airborne pollution by asbestos fibres at the place of residence, and occupational exposure. Epidemiological and geological investigations are underway.
Glossary
- risk factor
- anything that increases a person's chance of getting a disease such as cancer. Different cancers have different risk factors. For example, exposure to sunlight is a risk factor for skin cancer, smoking is a risk factor for lung and other cancers, and a high-fat, low-fiber diet is a risk factor for colorectal cancer. Some risk factors, such as smoking, can be controlled. Others, like a person's age, can't be changed
- epidemiology
- (ep-uh-deem-ee-AHL-uh-gee) the study of diseases in populations by collecting and analyzing statistical data. In the field of cancer, epidemiologists look at how many people have cancer; who gets specific types of cancer; and what factors (such as environment, job hazards, family patterns, and personal habits, such as smoking and diet) play a part in the development of cancer.
- diagnosis
- identifying a disease by its signs or symptoms, and by using imaging procedures and laboratory findings. The earlier a diagnosis of cancer is made, the better the chance for long-term survival.
- detection
- finding disease. Early detection means that the disease is found at an early stage, before it has grown large or spread to other sites. Note many forms of cancer can reach an advanced stage without causing symptoms. Mammography can help to find breast cancer early, and the PSA blood test is useful in finding prostate cancer.
- cancer
- malignancy; a group of diseases typified by abnormal, generally out-of-control, cell growth.
- tumor
- an abnormal lump or mass of tissue. Tumors can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
- mesothelioma
- a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.
