Consumption of alcoholic beverages in adolescence and adulthood and risk of testicular germ cell tumor

Abstract

The etiology of testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) remains obscure, and accumulating evidence suggests that postnatal environmental or lifestyle factors may play a role. To investigate whether consumption of alcoholic beverages during adolescence or adulthood is associated with TGCT risk, we analyzed data from a USA population-based case-control study of 540 18–44 year-old TGCT cases, and 1,280 age-matched controls. Participants were queried separately about consumption of beer, wine and liquor during grades 7–8, grades 9–12 and the 5 years before reference date (date of diagnosis for cases and corresponding date for controls). We used logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of TGCT risk with alcoholic beverage consumption during the different periods, both total and by specific beverage types, and separately for seminomas and nonseminomas. Compared with non-drinkers in the 5 years before reference date, the OR (95% CI) for 1–6, 7–13, and ≥14 drinks per week were 1.20 (0.85, 1.69), 1.23 (0.81, 1.85), and 1.56 (1.03, 2.37), respectively (p-trend=0.04). The corresponding results for alcohol consumption in grades 9–12 were 1.39 (1.06, 1.82), 1.07 (0.72, 1.60), 1.53 (1.01, 2.31) (p-trend=0.05). Alcohol consumption in grades 7–8 was uncommon and no statistically significant associations with TGCT were observed. Associations with alcohol consumption in the 5 years before reference date appeared stronger for nonseminomas than for seminomas, but the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Associations were similar across different alcoholic beverage types. Consumption of alcoholic beverages may be associated with an increased TGCT risk.

Testicular germ cell tumour risk by occupation and industry: a French case–control study – TESTIS

“…Further covariates included family history of testicular cancer; family history of cryptorchidism; personal tobacco smoking; cannabis use; 24 and personal consumption of alcoholic beverages. 25 We considered cannabis use and frequency of use in two periods: adolescence (12–17 years) and young adulthood (18–25 years), puberty being possibly considered as the key point of exposure. 24 We used age at voice change as a proxy of timing of pubertal development to consider delayed puberty, a protective factor for TGCT.…”

Postnatal risk factors for testicular cancer: The EPSAM case–control study

“…However, a recent case-control study on testicular cancer conducted in the USA analysed alcohol consumption at 12-13 years (i.e., during puberty, as in our study) and at 14-17 years of age (i.e., in adolescence). 22 The association with the risk of testicular cancer was very weak for puberty but there was a 34% increased risk for alcohol consumption in adolescence.…”

Paternal Occupational Exposure to Heavy Metals and Welding Fumes and Testicular Germ Cell Tumours in Sons in France

“…The adjustment variables were selected in three steps. First, potential confounders were identified in the literature [26,27]. Then, analyses were performed individually for each of the covariates identified in the reviews: gestational age (weeks) (≤36 and >36), born from multiple pregnancies (yes, no), birth order (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and >4th), birth weight (< 2500, 2500-4000, and ≥4000 g), geographic origin (French by birth, French by acquisition), sibship size (1, 2, 3, 4 and more siblings), age at voice change used as a sign of puberty (<12, 12-16, and >16 years), participants' smoking status (current smoker, former smoker, and never smoked), consumption of alcoholic beverages (never, less than once/week, between 1 and 5 times/week and more than 5 times/week), cannabis use at age 18-25 years (never, < once a month, twice a month, once a week, and once a day), family history of TGCT (yes, no), personal history of testicular trauma (yes, no), and family history of cryptorchidism (yes, no).…”