Familial aggregation of esophageal cancer in Babol district in the north of Iran

The aim of this study is to evaluate the familial aggregation of esophageal cancer in a defined population under coverage of Babol Research Station, Institute of Public Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, in one of the high incidence areas in north of Iran and to assess the risk of disease associated with first degree familial relationship.

In this study, the data of family members of three to four successive generations and family history of esophageal and other cancers were collected from esophageal cancer cases which occurred between 2001-2003 in Babol district. The pairwise odds ratio of logistic regression method with GEE2 approach used for familial aggregation of esophageal cancer within first degree family. The results have been adjusted on covariates of age and sex of each family member and age and sex of the proband.

The proportion of having a positive family history of esophageal cancer in first relatives is 3.09% (3.8 % in men and 2.3 % in female relatives). The pairwise odds ratio was 1.79 (95% CI: 1.1, 2/93) in first degree family and odds ratio between parent – offspring was 2.21 (95%CI: 1.1, 4/44)and relation between sibling was 1.92(95%CI: 0.87, 4.24). It was not possible to look for any parent – parent pattern. Conclustin: We found a familial aggregation between first degree relatives in this area.The association between parent–offspring suggests the presence of a genetic component in this disease.