Occupational exposure to dust and sinonasal cancer. An analysis of 386 cases reported to the N.C.C.S.F. Cancer Registry.

An analysis of 386 sinonasal cancer cases reported during the 1978-1994 period to the registry of the Christian Sickness Fund is presented. The relationship between this tumor and previous occupational exposure to carcinogens is investigated by a descriptive case study. Of 386 cases comprising 294 males and 92 females, 139 were adenocarcinomas which in 88 revealed an occupation as woodworker. In 169 sinonasal cancers the professional history indicates an exposure to dust of different origin, but mainly wood, textile, cereals, cement and leather. The primary tumor of 87 sinonasal adenocarcinomas in woodworkers was in 77% ethmoïdal, 12.2% maxillary, 6.8% nasal and 4-sphenoïdal. These findings confirm the results of previous reports on sinonasal cancer from other European countries.