Objective: It was the aim of this study to evaluate the risk of dying from bladder and kidney cancer in persons with Down syndrome (DS), as compared with the general population. Methods: Using data of the French national mortality statistics (INSERM) during a 21-year period, 1979–1999, we compared the observed number of deaths from renal and bladder cancer in DS subjects with the expected number of deaths from these cancers. The expected number of deaths was calculated taking into account the prevalence of DS at birth and the life expectancy of persons with DS, assuming the risk was identical to the one of the general population. Results: A significant 6-fold decreased risk of dying from urological cancer was found in persons with DS, with 5 cases observed, while 30 were expected. The relative risk of dying was 0.27 for bladder cancer (p = 0.0017) and 0.06 for kidney cancer (p < 0.0001). Other mortality studies provided similar values. Conclusions: Children and adults with DS have a decreased risk of dying from urological neoplasms. Genes on chromosome 21 could play a protective role against urological cancer.

Keywords:
Bladder cancer, Chromosome 21, Down syndrome, Nephroblastoma, Renal cancer, Tumor suppressor gene, Urinary tract
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel
2009
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.