The results of 12 case/control studies concerning the relationship between sinonasal cancer and occupation were reanalyzed. The pooled data encompassed 930 cases and 3,135 controls from 12 studies conducted in seven countries. Both systematic analysis and a-priori analysis were employed. Based on the systematic approach, 13 occupations were related to squamous cell carcinoma. Among men, the greatest risks were determined for artists, professionals, hairdressers, farmers, and stationary engineers, with odds ratios (ORs) of 4.50, 3.27, 17.2, 3.72, and 3.39, respectively. Among women, the greatest risks were determined for accountants, professionals, and managers, with ORs of 17.4, 5.79, and 3.57, respectively. Cancer excesses related to more than 10 years of employment, and thus indicative of an association between occupational exposures and cancer, were determined for orchard farmers, miners, rubber and plastic manufacturers, and stationary engineers. Based on the a-priori approach, 23 occupations were identified as high risk for squamous cell carcinoma. Among men, the greatest risks were observed for cooks, fiber workers, and food workers, with ORs of 2.72, 13.5, and 1.80, respectively. Although none of the predetermined occupations were associated with a significantly high risk of squamous cell carcinoma among women, the OR for women ever employed in agriculture was elevated at 1.69. Based on systematic analysis, four occupations were related to adenocarcinoma among men. The significantly elevated ORs included 8.69 for salespersons, 3.71 for farm workers, 3.69 for food processors, and 2.95 for transportation workers. Based on a-priori analysis, four occupations were related to adenocarcinoma. Only for male agricultural workers was a significant association with cancer determined, since the OR increased from 1.92 to 2.98 after 10 years of employment. The authors conclude that the pooled findings are more informative than the results of the individual studies.

Support: Digital