Skip Navigation



IJE Advance Access published online on May 29, 2008
International Journal of Epidemiology, doi:10.1093/ije/dyn092
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Boffetta, P.
Right arrow Articles by Brennan, P.
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Boffetta, P.
Right arrow Articles by Brennan, P.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Epidemiological Association © The Author 2008; all rights reserved.

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation and risk of malignant lymphoma and multiple myeloma—a multicentre European case–control study

Paolo Boffetta1,*, Olga van der Hel1, Anne Kricker2, Alexandra Nieters3, Silvia de Sanjosé4, Marc Maynadié5, Pier Luigi Cocco6, Anthony Staines7, Nikolaus Becker3, Rebecca Font4, Andrea ‘t Mannetje1,8, Chris Goumas2 and Paul Brennan1

1International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France.
2University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
3German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.
4Catalan Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain.
5Burgundy University (EA4184), Universitary Hospital, Dijon, France.
6Institute of Occupational Medicine, University of Cagliari, Italy.
7Public Health University College Dublin, Ireland.
8Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.

*Corresponding author. Lifestyle, Environment and Cancer Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 150 cours Albert-Thomas, 69008 Lyon, France. E-mail: boffetta{at}iarc.fr


  Abstract

Background Three recent studies have reported a decreased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) for high ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure.

Methods We conducted a multicentre case–control study during 1998–2004 in France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain, comprising 1518 cases of NHL, 268 cases of Hodgkin lymphoma, 242 cases of multiple myeloma and 2124 population or hospital controls. We collected information on sensitivity to sun and personal exposure to UV radiation in childhood and adulthood via interview, and assessed occupational exposure to UV radiation from the occupational history.

Results The risk of Hodgkin and NHL was increased for increasing skin sensitivity to the sun [odds ratio (OR) for no suntan vs very brown 2.35, 95% CI 0.94–5.87 and 1.39, 95% CI 1.03–1.87, respectively]. The risk of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was reduced for increasing adult personal (OR for highest vs lowest quartile of exposure in free days 0.62, 95% CI 0.44–0.87) and for occupational exposure to UV radiation (OR for highest vs lowest exposure tertile 0.63, 95% CI 0.37–1.04). The risk of multiple myeloma was increased for personal exposure to UV radiation during adulthood (OR for highest vs lowest quartile of exposure in free days 1.49, 95% CI 0.88–2.50). A protective effect was observed for use of sun lamps for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (OR for 25+ times vs never 0.63, 95% CI 0.38–1.03).

Conclusions The hypothesis of a protective effect of UV radiation on lymphoma is supported by our results. The underlying mechanisms might differ from those operating in skin carcinogenesis. The increased risk of multiple myeloma is worth replication.

Keywords Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, UV radiation, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin lymphoma, lymphoma, epidemiology

Accepted 29 April 2008


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?




Disclaimer:
Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.