Incidence of leukemia and testicular cancer heightened in persons with Down syndrome in Finland

06-21-2006

Leukemia and testicular cancer incidence was heightened in persons with Down syndrome (DS) in Finland.

According to a study from Finland, "Individuals with DS have a predisposition to leukaemia and testicular cancer, but data on the incidence of cancers are yet sparse."

"A cohort of 3,581 persons with DS was identified from a National Registry of Finnish persons with intellectual disability collected between 1978 and 1986 and followed-tip for cancer incidence until 2002. Standardised incidence ratios (SIRs) were defined as ratios of observed number of cancer cases to those expected from the national cancer incidence rates, by age and sex," explained K. Patja and colleagues, National Public Health Institute.

The researchers concluded, "The overall cancer risk was equal to that of the general population, but a significantly high risk of leukaemia (SIR 10.5, CI 95% 6.6-15.8) and testicular cancer (SIR4.8, CI 95% 1.8-10.4) was found."

Patja and colleagues published their study in International Journal of Cancer (Cancer incidence of persons with Down syndrome in Finland: A population-based study. Int J Cancer, 2006;118(7):1769-1772).

For more information, contact K. Patja, National Public Health Institute, Dept. Epidemiology & Health Promotion, Mannerheimintie 166, SF-00300 Helsinki, Finland.

Publisher contact information for the International Journal of Cancer is: Wiley-Liss, Division John Wiley & Sons Inc., 111 River St., Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA.

Keywords: Helsinki, Finland, Cancer Incidence, Cancer Risk Factor, Carcinoma Risk Factor, Down Syndrome, Leukemia, Oncology, Testicular Cancer, Testicular Carcinoma, Finland, Disease Association.

This article was prepared by Clinical Oncology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com.