Aggregation of lung cancer in families: Results from a population-based case-control study in Germany

The authors investigated familiar aggregation of lung cancer by means:of a population-based case-control study, conducted in Germany between 1988 and 1993. They compared lung cancer prevalence in first degree relatives of 945 patients and 983 controls, accounting for various potential risk factors u sing logistic regression and generalized estimating equations, Some 83% of the study participants were male, and about 14% were below age 51 (young ag e group). Overall, lung cancer in parents or siblings was associated with a 1.67-fold (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11, 2.52) increase in lung canc er risk. For the young participants, this risk was 4.75 (95% CI: 1.20, 18.7 7), Having multiple affected relatives (two or more) was related to a three fold risk elevation (odds ratio (OR) = 2.99, 95% CI: 0.32, 27.55). Paternal (OR = 1.64, 95% CI: 0.91, 2.96) but not maternal (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.32, 2.61) lung cancer was associated with an increased risk of the disease. Lu ng cancer risk from smoking was particularly pronounced in the parents of c ases (OR = 12.20, 95% CI: 3.34, 44.62 vs. OR = 7.93, 95% CI: 2.43, 25.91 in parents of controls). No risk elevation was detected for other smoking-rel ated and other cancers in general. Results confirm previous findings and su pport the etiologic role of a genetic predisposition to lung cancer.