The copenhagen case‐control study of renal pelvis and ureter cancer: Role of analgesics

Abstract

Analgesic intake was investigated for 96 patients with cancer of the renal pelvis and ureter (including papillomas) and 294 hospital controls. In comparison with persons who never used analgesics, increased relative risks (RR) were seen for users of phenacetin-containing drugs after adjustment for smoking and high-risk occupational exposure (men: RR = 2.4; women: RR = 4.2). A significant relative risk for aspirin use among women was also observed. There was an indication of a dose-effect relationship for both types of analgesics. The influence of phenacetin and aspirin on the development of renal pelvis and ureter tumours could not be separated since in this study the two compounds occurred so frequently in the same formulation. Experimental studies and phenacetin metabolism makes it biologically most relevant to attribute the observed association in the present study to the phenacetin component of the drugs.

Acetaminophen, Some other Drugs, Some Diseases and the Risk of Transitional Cell Carcinoma: A population-based case-control study

“…Ross et al (20) described an increased risk of cancer of the renal pelvis and ureter of 2.3 (1.2-3.2) after an intake of aspirin but not of acetaminophen or phenacetin. Jensen et al (26) reported that aspirin users who had never taken phenacetin had increased relative risks but the estimates were highly unstable due to small numbers. Our results were of borderline significance statistically and apart from validity problems (vide infra) chance could explain our findings.…”

Regular use of analgesics is a risk factor for renal cell carcinoma

“…These uncontrolled observations were later confirmed by a number of case-control studies conducted in diverse populations (McCredie et al, 1982;McLaughlin et al, 1985;Jensen et al, 1989). In 1987, the International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded that there was sufficient evidence to name phenacetin as a human carcinogen.…”

Familial Transitional Cell Carcinoma

“…All affected individuals in this kindred were heavy smokers but none was employed in a high risk occu pation. The mother died of colon adenocarcinoma, In a fol io wup study of this family, 2 sons with bladder cancer la te r had primary lung cancers, 16 Benton and Henderson presented the occupational h isto ries of 9 individuals w ith transitional cell carcinoma of th e bladder diagnosed before age 25 years. 17 One patient w as a 19-year-old repairm an with exposure to glues and solvents.…”