Geographic distribution of liver and stomach cancers in Thailand in relation to estimated dietary intake of nitrate, nitrite, and nitrosodimethylamine.

It is our working hypothesis that the high rate of the liver and gastric cancers in North and Northeast Thailand is associated with increased daily dietary intake of nitrate, nitrite, and nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). Samples of fresh and preserved Thai foods were systematically collected and analyzed from 1988 to 1996 and from 1998 to 2005. Consumption frequencies of various food items were determined on the basis of a dietary questionnaire given to 467 adults (212 males and 255 females) from 1998 to 2005.

Novel DNA staining method and processing technique for the quantification of undamaged double-stranded DNA in epidermal tissue sections by PicoGreen probe staining and microspectrophotometry.

Histotechnological processing of DNA can cause damage to and loss of DNA and can change its structure. DNA probes have severe tissue-staining limitations. New DNA probes and improved histotechnology are needed to enhance the characterization of fixed tissue-bound DNA.

Rising leukemia rates in Thailand: the possible role of benzene and related compounds in cigarette smoke.

Epidemiological studies suggest that cigarette smoking is associated with an increased risk of leukemia and that benzene and related compounds in cigarette smoke may contribute to this elevated risk. This report presents new findings on selected components of cigarette smoke (including benzene and 1,3-butadiene) from major brands of cigarettes sold in Thailand, which represent about 80% of market share. Tested were also two major and popular brands of U.

Exposure to N-nitroso compounds in a population of high liver cancer regions in Thailand: volatile nitrosamine (VNA) levels in Thai food.

The recent case-control studies in Thailand indicate that a high incidence of liver cancer in Thailand has not been associated with common risk factors such as hepatitis B infection, aflatoxin intake and alcohol consumption. While the infestation by the liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini (OV) accounted for the high risk in north-east Thailand, there was no such exposure in the other regions of the country where the incidence of liver cancer is also high. Case-control studies suggest that exposure to exogenous and possibly endogenous nitrosamines in food or tobacco in betel nut and cigarettes may play a role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), while OV infestation and chemical interaction of nitrosamines may also be aetiological factors in the development of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA).

Volatile nitrosamines and tobacco-specific nitrosamines in the smoke of Thai cigarettes: a risk factor for lung cancer and a suspected risk factor for liver cancer in Thailand.

In Thailand, smoking of commercial cigarettes and of handmade cigarettes has drastically increased in recent decades. Cancer of the lung and of the upper aero-digestive tract have also increased in Thailand as they have in many other countries. It is our working hypothesis that the increase of primary cancer of the liver, especially of cholangiocarcinoma in the north-eastern provinces of Thailand is associated with the use of tobacco in men infested with the liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini (OV).

Combination chemotherapy for advanced lung cancer.

Lung cancer is now a major public health problem in Thailand. This study was undertaken to gain some preliminary data regarding the potential effectiveness in treating advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) using an ifosfamide combination therapy IA(E)P. A clinical study was made of all 50 patients (Thais) with histologically proven, advanced NSCLC admitted to the University of Siriraj Hospital between 1985 and 1987 and followed up until February 1992.

Assessment of major carcinogenic tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines in Thai cigarettes.

This report presents new findings on the content of cancer-causing tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines (TSNA) in mainstream smoke of nine brands of commercially produced Thai cigarettes, representing about 85% of market share in Thailand. Also tested were two major and popular brands of U.S.

Histology and smoking history of lung cancer cases and implications for prevention in Thailand.

Background: Lung cancer is now a major public health problem in Thailand. This descriptive study looked at the issue of whether tumor histology varied with smoking status among lung cancer patients in Bangkok, Thailand.

Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was made of the 1,600 Thai patients with histologically proven lung cancer admitted to University of Siriraj Hospital between 1967 and 1991.

Composition of popular tobacco products in Thailand, and its relevance to disease prevention.

Background: This report presents new findings on the composition of the three best-selling brands of commercially produced Thai cigarettes, representing about 80% of market share in Thailand, and six best-selling tobacco products, including hand-rolled cigarettes and cigars.

Results: With one exception, all Thai cigarettes yielded higher levels of tar and nicotine than U.S.

"Tar", nicotine, and carbon monoxide content of Thai cigarettes, and implications for cancer prevention in Thailand.

This report presents new findings on the very high contents of nicotine (i.e., 1.

Cancer in Haiti 1979-84: distribution of various forms of cancer according to geographical area and sex.

Haiti exemplifies all of the problems of developing countries: poverty, hunger, reduced longevity, and an illiteracy rate of more than 75%. It is, therefore, not surprising that so little attention has been given to late-onset chronic diseases, particularly cancer. The results of a special survey of cancer cases first diagnosed in 1979-84 are presented, with relative proportions of cancers by site, according to age, sex and geographical area of origin (coastal vs.