Occupation and lymphoid malignancies: Results from a French case-control study

Objectives: Investigating relationships between potential occupational risk factors and lymphoid malignancy (LM). Methods: We conducted a multicenter hospital-based case-control study in France between 2000 and 2004, including 824 incident cases Of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), multiple myeloma, and lymphoproliferative syndrome and 752 frequency-matched controls. Data were collected through face-to-face standardized and detailed interviews. Results: Farming was significantly associated with NHL (odds ratio [OR] = 1.4 [1.0 to 2.0]) and, although not significantly, with lymphoproliferative syndrome and multiple myeloma. ORs were higher for longest durations of exposure. Self-declared exposure to pesticides was significantly associated with NHL (OR = 1.8 [1.2 to 2.7]) and HL (OR = 2.2 [1.0 to 4.7]). Neither solvent-related jobs nor self-reported exposure to solvents were related to LM. Systematic screening based on job titles did not evidence any other association. Conclusions: The results support the hypothesis that farming plays a role in most types of LM.