Brain tumours and exposure to pesticides: a case-control study in southwestern France.

Background: Brain tumours are often disabling and rapidly lethal; their aetiology is largely unknown. Among potential risk factors, pesticides are suspected.

Objective: To examine the relationship between exposure to pesticides and brain tumours in adults in a population-based case-control study in southwestern France.

Screening of TP53 mutations by DHPLC and sequencing in brain tumours from patients with an occupational exposure to pesticides or organic solvents.

The aetiology of brain tumours remains unclear. Occupational exposures to pesticides and organic solvents are suspected risk factors. The case-control study CEREPHY (221 cases, 442 controls) carried in the Departement de la Gironde in France revealed a significantly increased risk of brain tumours for subjects most exposed to pesticides.