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K J Sherman

Publications and source records attributed to K J Sherman.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Genital warts, other sexually transmitted diseases, and vulvar cancer.

To determine whether specific sexually transmitted diseases were associated with an increased risk of vulvar cancer, we conducted a case-control study among residents of three countries in western Washington. We identified, interviewed, and obtained blood samples from women with in situ (n = 180) and invasive (n = 53) vulvar cancer, 18-79 years of age, who were first diagnosed with these diseases during 1980-1988. We compared their responses with those of 466 women from the general population who were identified by means of random digit dialing. On average, women with vulvar cancer reported a greater number of prior sexual partners than did controls. The risk of vulvar cancer was elevated among women who reported a prior history of condyloma (for in situ cancer, RR = 15.8; for invasive disease, RR = 17.3) or gonorrhea (for in situ cancer, RR = 2.2; for invasive disease, RR = 5.0). Women who were seropositive to herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) were at higher risk for carcinoma in situ than were controls (RR = 2.0). A history of nonspecific vaginitis, trichomoniasis, syphilis, or seropositivity to cytomegalovirus was not related to case-control status. These results indicate that only a subset of sexually transmitted diseases, particularly human papillomavirus, may play a role in the development of vulvar cancers.

Adolescent↗

Human papillomavirus infection and anal cancer.

To study the association of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection with anal cancer, we examined tissue specimens from 126 patients with malignant lesions of the anal skin or mucosa. The patients were enrolled in a population-based, case-control study of ano-rectal cancer which is being conducted in the state of Washington and the Province of British Columbia. Histologic sections from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues were tested for the presence of HPV DNA by in situ hybridization with biotin-labelled HPV 6, 11, 16, 18 and 31 DNA probes. HPV DNA sequences were found in tumor tissues from 24 of the 126 subjects (19.0%). When only squamous neoplasms are considered, 23 of 70 subjects (32.9%) had lesions which contained detectable HPV DNA. One HPV-positive patient had a cloacogenic carcinoma that contained regions of squamous differentiation and it was in these squamous cells that HPV DNA was localized. Of the 23 squamous lesions that harbored detectable HPV DNA, 8 contained HPV 6, 10 contained HPV 16, 1 contained HPV 18 and 4 contained an unclassified virus type(s). HPV DNA was found in tissues from 14 patients with carcinoma-in situ and 10 subjects with invasive carcinoma. These results demonstrate that some malignant tumors of the anus, in both men and women, are associated with HPV infection. We conclude that the anal squamous epithelium is another site where infection with the common genital tract HPVs may carry a risk of malignant transformation.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Multiple primary tumours in women with vulvar neoplasms: a case-control study.

We sought to determine whether women with in situ or invasive squamous cell vulvar cancer were more likely than other women to have had a previous or concurrent tumour at other anogenital sites. One hundred and fifty-eight women with vulvar cancer were identified who were first diagnosed during 1980-1985, were ages 18-79 years at that time, and were residents of one of three counties in western Washington. Two control groups were selected: (1) from records of hospital pathology departments, a sample of 113 women with certain benign conditions of the vulva; (2) through random digit dialing, a sample of 212 women from the general population of these counties. Information on a history of other cancers, and on sexual, reproductive, medical, and demographic characteristics was collected from cases and controls in at-home interviews. Cases were more likely to report a history of other anogenital cancers than were controls, with relative risks of 3.5-29.8, depending on the type of case group and type of control. These associations were not explained by case-control differences in demographic characteristics or frequency of cervical screening. On the other hand, prior or concurrent non-anogenital cancers were equally common in cases and controls. These results support the hypothesis that the different anogenital cancers have at least one aetiology in common.

Adolescent↗

Human papillomavirus type 16 in multifocal neoplasia of the female genital tract.

We examined lesions from six women with multifocal neoplasia of the lower genital tract (vulva and cervix or vulva and vagina) for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA sequences by DNA-DNA in situ hybridization. Cervical tissue specimens from four of the five women with carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the cervix were found to contain HPV type 16 DNA sequences. Vulvar lesions from three of these women also contained HPV-16 DNA and were histologically consistent with CIS. In each instance, hybridization with HPV-16 DNA probes was seen only in areas of the epithelium that contained evidence of surface maturation or koilocytotic atypia (KA). The HPV DNA was not visualized in regions of these lesions in which the full thickness of the epithelium was occupied by poorly differentiated cells. Virus capsid antigens were only detected in a very few cells in two of the four cervical lesions that contained HPV-16 DNA. HPV type 16, which has consistently been associated with the development of cervical cancer, is further implicated as an agent in the pathogenesis of genital cancers by demonstration of the virus genome in neoplasia at nonadjacent sites.

Adult↗

Sexually transmitted diseases and the risk of tubal pregnancy.

Women who were hospitalized for tubal pregnancy in five hospitals in King County, Washington, between 1975 and 1979 were interviewed regarding a prior history of gonorrhea, genital herpes, genital warts and trichomoniasis. Their responses were compared to those of women who delivered a live-born child during the same period. Multiple logistic regression was used to control for the effects of race, gravidity, smoking, Dalkon Shield use, douching, number of sexual partners and history of additional sexually transmitted diseases. The risk of tubal pregnancy in women who reported a history of gonorrhea, relative to that in other women, was 5.1. As compared to controls, women with tubal pregnancy more often reported a history of genital herpes and a history of trichomoniasis.

Female↗

Sexual practices, sexually transmitted diseases, and the incidence of anal cancer.

To elucidate the risk factors for anal cancer, we interviewed and obtained blood specimens from 148 persons with anal cancer and from 166 controls with colon cancer in whom these diseases were diagnosed during 1978-1985. We found that in men, a history of receptive anal intercourse (related to homosexual behavior) was strongly associated with the occurrence of anal cancer (relative risk, 33.1; 95 percent confidence interval, 4.0 to 272.1). Anal intercourse was only weakly associated with the risk of anal cancer in women (relative risk, 1.8; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.7 to 4.2). Among the subjects with squamous-cell anal cancer, 47.1 percent of homosexual men, 28.6 percent of heterosexual men, and 28.3 percent of women gave a history of genital warts, as compared with only 1 to 2 percent of controls and no patients with transitional-cell anal cancer. In patients without a history of warts, anal cancer was associated with a history of gonorrhea in heterosexual men (relative risk, 17.2; 95 percent confidence interval, 2.0 to 149.4) and with seropositivity for herpes simplex type 2 (relative risk, 4.1; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.9 to 8.8) and Chlamydia trachomatis (relative risk, 2.3; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.1 to 4.8) in women. Current cigarette smoking was a substantial risk factor in both women (relative risk, 7.7; 95 percent confidence interval, 3.5 to 17.2) and men (relative risk, 9.4; 95 percent confidence interval, 2.3 to 38.5). We conclude that homosexual behavior in men is a risk factor for anal cancer, and that squamous-cell anal cancer is also associated with a history of genital warts, an association suggesting that papillomavirus infection is a cause of anal cancer. Certain other genital infections and cigarette smoking are also associated with anal cancer.

Anus Neoplasms↗

Risk factors for condyloma acuminatum in women.

We interviewed 49 women who had a history of condyloma acuminatum and 196 age-matched controls. For women who had ever smoked, the risk of developing condyloma was 3.7 times that of women who had never smoked (95% confidence interval, 1.8-7.6). The relative risk associated with long-term use (five or more years) of oral contraceptives was 9.8 (95% confidence interval, 1.5-65.6). Condyloma acuminatum is caused by infection with human papilloma virus (HPV), usually types 6 or 11. Infection with HPV, most commonly of other types, is associated with an increased risk of cervical neoplasia. If smoking and oral contraceptives increase the risk of infection with these other types of HPV as they do with types 6 and 11, this factor could be the means by which smoking and long-term use of oral contraceptives increase the incidence of cervical neoplasia.

Adolescent↗

Sexually transmitted diseases and tubal infertility.

To evaluate the association of genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis with the occurrence of subsequent tubal infertility, 321 women who had tubal infertility were interviewed concerning their history of these sexually transmitted diseases (STD). The responses were compared to those of women who conceived children during the period the infertile women began trying to become pregnant. By a multivariate analysis, the comparisons were controlled for several confounding variables (e.g., use of an intrauterine device, cigarette smoking, number of prior pregnancies, number of sexual partners, and a history of the other STD). The risk of tubal infertility in women who reported at least one episode of gonorrhea after their last pregnancy, relative to that among other women, was 2.8 (95% confidence interval = 1.3-5.7). The relative risk of tubal infertility was also higher among women who reported a history of trichomoniasis (relative risk = 1.4; 95% confidence interval = 1.0-2.5) or genital warts (relative risk = 1.9; 95% confidence interval = 1.0-3.6).

Adult↗

Sexually transmitted diseases and tubal pregnancy.

The risk of tubal pregnancy associated with seropositivity to Chlamydia trachomatis or following a diagnosis of gonorrhea, genital herpes, trichomoniasis, genital warts, or nonspecific vaginal infection was evaluated in a study of this condition among women who were members of a prepaid health plan. A total of 264 women who had a tubal pregnancy between 1981 and 1986 were interviewed about their history of these sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Their responses were compared to those of 715 women who were matched by age and county of residence but were otherwise randomly selected from the enrollment files of the health plan. Chlamydia antibody status was known in a sample of 135 cases and 192 controls. Although more cases reported a history of gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and non-specific vaginal infections than did controls, only a modestly elevated risk for trichomoniasis remained after logistic regression was used to adjust for the effects of age, reference year, race, presence of contraception at reference date, seropositivity to Chlamydia trachomatis, and a history of other STDs. By contrast, among women for whom Chlamydia trachomatis antibody status was assessed, presence of antibody was associated with a two-fold increase in the risk of tubal pregnancy after adjusting for the effects of the previously enumerated variables. These findings confirm the relevance of Chlamydia trachomatis as a risk factor for ectopic pregnancy, and they also underscore the importance of adjustment for the influence of other STDs when evaluating the association between a specific STD and the occurrence of tubal pregnancy.

Adolescent↗

Diet and genital warts: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Clinical observations support a substantial role for impaired immunity in the development of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Intake of vitamins, especially vitamins A and C, and alcohol consumption have been reported to influence immune response. GOAL OF THE STUDY: To examine the relationship between nutritional risk factors, including alcohol consumption, and the risk of genital warts. STUDY DESIGN: A case-control study was conducted among enrollees at four clinics of Group Health Cooperative in western Washington state. A total of 188 cases diagnosed with condyloma from April 1, 1987 to September 30, 1991 and 245 controls completed a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: After adjustment for socioeconomic indicators, total energy intake, smoking and sexual behavior, a weekly consumption of two to four alcoholic drinks was associated with an almost doubled risk of genital warts (OR = 1.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0-3.6). Consuming five or more alcoholic drinks per week was even more related to the risk of genital warts (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.2-5.1). The risks tended to increase with the number of alcoholic drinks (P = 0.006). Vitamin A and C intakes as measured by a food frequency questionnaire did not alter the risk of condyloma. CONCLUSION: Moderately high consumption of alcohol is associated with increased risk of condyloma. Further biological and epidemiological studies are needed to explain this association.

Adolescent↗

The association of human papillomavirus antibodies with cervical cancer risk.

The association between viral human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA and cervical carcinoma has been well documented. However, less is known about the immune response to HPV infections and its relationship to cervical cancer risk. A higher prevalence of antibodies to HPV16 E7 among women with cervical cancer compared with controls has been reported, but reactivity to other antigens has not been systematically examined. Prevalence of serum IgG antibody reactivities to HPV6-encoded L1 and L2 and to HPV16- and HPV18-encoded E2, E4, E6, E7, L1, and L2 bacterial fusion proteins in a Western immunoblot assay were measured among cases with invasive cervical cancer (n = 69) and control women (n = 81). The intensities of the Western blot bands were graded as +1, +2, or +3 (0 = negative). Antibodies to HPV6 L1 and L2, HPV16 E7 and L2, and HPV18 L2 fusion proteins were observed among 39-62% of cases and 33-71% of controls. After systematic sampling for antibody reactivity to this range of fusion proteins, the sample was expanded to include 150 cases and 145 controls tested exclusively for reaction to HPV6 L1 and L2, HPV16 E7, and HPV16 and HPV18 L2. Relative risk was estimated for > or = +1, +1, and > or = +2 levels of reactivity after adjustment for confounding factors. Except for HPV16 E7, reactivity at the > or = +1 level did not distinguish cases from controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗