GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER RISK-FACTORS FOR OSTEOSARCOMA IN CHILDREN AND YOUNG-ADULTS

Background. Risk factors for osteosarcoma in young people were investi gated in a population-based case-control study among residents of New York State, excluding New York City. Methods. Cases (n = 130) were dia gnosed between 1978 and 1988 at less than or equal to 24 years of age, Controls were randomly selected from birth certificates and were pair matched to cases on year of birth and sex. Exposure information was o btained by telephone interview with a subject and/or parent, and from birth certificates and school and medical records. Results and Conclus ions. A significant positive association was observed with height one year before diagnosis (P-value for trend = 0.02). No significant assoc iations were observed between osteosarcoma and weight or body mass ind ex one year before diagnosis, birth length, birthweight, gestational a ge, having reached puberty, having begun growth spurt, age at puberty, age growth spurt began, medical x-rays, antenatal exposures, family h istory of cancer, birth defects, or parental occupation.