Doctors Kai-Li LIAW, Martha S. Linet, Joseph K. Mclaughin, Mimi C. Yu , Janet B. Schoenberg, Charles F. Lynch 5, Shelley Niwa, and Joseph F. Fraumeni, Jr. of the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD International Epidemiology Institute, Rockville, MD Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA New Jersey Department of Health, Trenton, NJ Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IO Westat Inc., Rockville, MD respectively studied the relationship between BP in elderly patients and its relationship to cancer.
ABSTRACT:-
This study is to investigate the relationship between certain medical conditions and medicines intake with Cancer. Around 308 patients of renal pelvic cancer and 194 with ureter cancer and 496 control subjects were screened in the USA. It was further reported that patients having a history of high blood pressure were more at risk of having cancer, whereas no such risk was seen with other diseases. Hypertensives who took Diuretics were twice at risk of suffering of getting cancer.
In another study, it came out clearly that smokers had a higher chance of getting cancer; and that the incidence is increasing rapidly.
METHOD:-
A well planned questionnaire was prepared to get information about patients medical history, such as infections, stones, diabetes, blood pressure, stroke, etc. Also, medicines the patients might be using like blood pressure tablets, diuretics, hormones, etc., were all taken into account. The patient's smoking history was also considered.
RESULTS:-
Out of total 502 patients, 308, ie (193 males and 115 females) had renal pelvic cancer and 194 had ureter cancer. The results for only these 2 types of cancer are presented, because risk estimates associated are similar for both conditions. No association of cancer was found with other medical conditions such as Diabetes, angina, stroke and heart attacks, however a small 30 percent risk was found with patients suffering from hypertension, and hardly any for patients on appetite suppressants or female hormones, etc.
DISCUSSION:-
A large group of patients were selected suffering from cancers of Renal pelvis and ureter, and effect of various diseases and medicines on them. A significant risk was also associated with a history of high blood pressure, particularly patients on diuretics and other medicines.
This study however did not see increased risk with other types of blood pressure medicines like Beta Blockers. This study also confirmed that increased blood pressure may also increase risk of both renal cell cancer and swellings of renal pelvis and ureter, but the mechanism that causes this is still not clear. This study had its own merits because of a large group of patients involved, and also because of the data taken from Cancer Registries and authentic sources. All data generated from this population was done by trained interviewers and hence reliable.
SUMMARY:-
We can now say that the relation between blood pressure and renal cell cancer may extend to cancers of the renal pelvis and ureter. Further studies need to be done to know what all carcinogenic mechanisms are involved in this process.
Compiled from various international research journals available at google scholar by D. Mukherjee having 38 years of pharmaceutical (Cardiac, Diabetic, Neurology, Pain & Inflammation products) experience with a Swiss Multinational Company NOVARTIS and edited by Dr Sandeep Ahlawat, MBBS