[Systematic surveillance of occupational cancer: the Lombardy Sinonasal Cancer Registry].

BACKGROUND

Sinonasal cancer (SNC) includes uncommon tumours that are characterized by a high occupational etiologic component. For this reason they are an easy target for systematic surveillance by setting up a specific disease registry. The National Registry of these tumours is located at the Italian Institute for Occupational Safety and Prevention (ISPESL) and is based on data from Regional Operating Centres (ROCs). In the Lombardy Region a ROC was established in 2008 at the Clinica del Lavoro "Luigi Devoto" in Milan aimed at making surveillance systematic and thus provide adequate support for scientific research and prevention measures in the high risk work sectors.

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the incidence of SNC, to define different sources of occupational exposure both known (wood, leather, nickel, chromium) and unknown.

METHODS

The Registry collects all the new incident cases of epithelial SNC occurring among residents ofthe Lombardy Region. The Regional Registry is managed in accordance with the specific National Guidelines and uses the experience already acquired with the organizational and operational management of the Regional Mesothelioma Registry.

RESULTS

During the first period of activity (1.1.2008-30.9.2009) 556 cases of suspected SNC were reported to the Registry; only 62 (11.2%) of these actually complied with the inclusion criteria of the Registry and were mainly adenocarcinoma and squamous carcinoma. Occupational exposure to wood or leather dust was ascertained in 50% of cases.

CONCLUSION

Data collected up to now confirm that occupational exposure to wood and leather dusts are the most significant risk factors for SNC. The study of occupational sectors and job tasks in cases with as yet undefined exposure might suggest new etiologic hypotheses.