Analysis of risk factors in a cluster of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

A case-control investigation of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia was conducted in the town of Carbonia (Sardinia, Italy). Parents of 9 cases diagnosed between 1980 and 1989 and 36 controls were interviewed at their respective residences. None of the risk factors analyzed was associated significantly with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Cluster in Southwestern Sardinia (Italy).

In response to public concern about an increase in the incidence of leukemia among children in southwestern Sardinia (Italy), incident cases of childhood cancer (ages 0-14) were ascertained among residents in the province of Cagliari, which comprises all of southern Sardinia, in 1974-89. Completeness of the ascertainment of leukemia cases was validated by comparison with estimates derived from official statistics of mortality and survival curves. A significant excess risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (cALL) was found for children residing in the town of Carbonia.

Childhood leukemia in south-west Sardinia (Italy).

Aim And Background: Public concern on an increased incidence of childhood leukemia in SW Sardinia prompted the authors to an epidemiological investigation.

Methods: Incident childhood neoplasms observed in the Cagliari province (Sardinia--Italy) in 1974-1989 were registered. Expected cases of the most frequent childhood cancers were calculated for each town, based on the sex-and age-specific incidence rates in the province.