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Clustering of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is associated with increased levels of the environmental toxins benzene and trichloroethylene in the state of Georgia.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Clough, L; Bayakly, AR; Ward, KC; Khan, MK; Chen, SC; Lechowicz, MJ; Flowers, CR; Allen, PB; Switchenko, JM
Published in: Cancer
April 15, 2020

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma arising in the skin. Geographic clustering of CTCL has recently been reported, but its association with environmental factors is unknown. Benzene and trichloroethylene (TCE) are environmental toxins with carcinogenic properties. The authors investigated associations between geographic clustering of CTCL incidence in the state of Georgia with benzene and TCE exposure. METHODS: The statewide county-level incidence of CTCL within Georgia was obtained from the Georgia Cancer Registry for the years 1999 to 2015. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated by dividing observed cases by expected cases using national incidence rates by age, sex, and race. Clustering of CTCL was analyzed using spatial analyses. County-level concentrations of benzene and TCE between 1996 and 2014 were collected from the Environmental Protection Agency's National Air Toxics Assessment database. Linear regression analyses on CTCL incidence were performed comparing SIRs with levels of benzene and TCE by county. RESULTS: There was significant geographic clustering of CTCL in Georgia, particularly around Atlanta, which was correlated with an increased concentration of benzene and TCE exposure. Among the 4 most populous counties in Georgia, CTCL incidence was between 1.2 and 1.9 times higher than the state average, and benzene and TCE levels were between 2.9 and 8.8 times higher. CONCLUSIONS: The current results demonstrate nonrandom geographic clustering of CTCL incidence in Georgia. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first analysis to identify a correlation between geographic clustering of CTCL and environmental toxic exposures.

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Published In

Cancer

DOI

EISSN

1097-0142

Publication Date

April 15, 2020

Volume

126

Issue

8

Start / End Page

1700 / 1707

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Trichloroethylene
  • Skin Neoplasms
  • Registries
  • Oncology & Carcinogenesis
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous
  • Incidence
  • Humans
 

Citation

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Clough, L., Bayakly, A. R., Ward, K. C., Khan, M. K., Chen, S. C., Lechowicz, M. J., … Switchenko, J. M. (2020). Clustering of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is associated with increased levels of the environmental toxins benzene and trichloroethylene in the state of Georgia. Cancer, 126(8), 1700–1707. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.32665
Clough, Lindsay, A Rana Bayakly, Kevin C. Ward, Mohammad K. Khan, Suephy C. Chen, Mary Jo Lechowicz, Christopher R. Flowers, Pamela B. Allen, and Jeffrey M. Switchenko. “Clustering of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is associated with increased levels of the environmental toxins benzene and trichloroethylene in the state of Georgia.Cancer 126, no. 8 (April 15, 2020): 1700–1707. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.32665.
Clough L, Bayakly AR, Ward KC, Khan MK, Chen SC, Lechowicz MJ, et al. Clustering of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is associated with increased levels of the environmental toxins benzene and trichloroethylene in the state of Georgia. Cancer. 2020 Apr 15;126(8):1700–7.
Clough, Lindsay, et al. “Clustering of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is associated with increased levels of the environmental toxins benzene and trichloroethylene in the state of Georgia.Cancer, vol. 126, no. 8, Apr. 2020, pp. 1700–07. Pubmed, doi:10.1002/cncr.32665.
Clough L, Bayakly AR, Ward KC, Khan MK, Chen SC, Lechowicz MJ, Flowers CR, Allen PB, Switchenko JM. Clustering of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is associated with increased levels of the environmental toxins benzene and trichloroethylene in the state of Georgia. Cancer. 2020 Apr 15;126(8):1700–1707.
Journal cover image

Published In

Cancer

DOI

EISSN

1097-0142

Publication Date

April 15, 2020

Volume

126

Issue

8

Start / End Page

1700 / 1707

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Trichloroethylene
  • Skin Neoplasms
  • Registries
  • Oncology & Carcinogenesis
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous
  • Incidence
  • Humans