HIGH-RISK OF BRAIN-TUMORS - A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY BY A POPULATION-BASEDREGISTRY

A high excess of risk (standardized incidence ratio S.LR. : 320 [190-4 90]) of intracranial tumors among men living within the county of Meyl an, in the suburb area of Grenoble, as compared with the overall popul ation was shown by the Isere Cancer Registry, for the period 1979-1984 . There has been no change of this excess of risk between 1979 and 199 0 (S.I.R. = 190). The pathological homogeneity of this cluster (neurog lial tumors) among men is noticeable. This county is known as a concen tration of high-tech and intellectual Professionnal activities. A desc riptive study was conducted on the 24 cases diagnosed between 1979 and 1990, based on retrospective interviews of Patient's family. Ethnical origins, blood groups, personal and familial medical history (with sp ecial interest in cranial injuries), socio economic status, chemicals, radiations and electro-magnetic exposures, acoustic and visual exposu res (such as noises and T. V.), drinking water tobacco and food consum ptions, were investigated Educational level, occupation, and European ethnic origin are all pointing to the same direction : a higher risk i n high level social classes and high level professions. An analytical study is going on, that would give a deeper insight in these phenomens .