ABSTRACT
Agent Orange is an herbicide sprayed widely in Vietnam that is linked to a variety of malignancies in as early as 1991.Since then, there has been concern for, and subsequent interest in studying, the potential connection between Agent Orange and other malignancies. In the past 2 decades, there have been significant changes in the opinion of the National Academy of Science regarding Agent Orange and certain genitourinary malignancies. Herein, we review the literature regarding the potential link between Agent Orange and various urological cancers, including prostate, bladder, testicular, and renal cancers.
Subject(s)
Agent Orange/poisoning , Kidney Neoplasms/diagnosis , Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins/poisoning , Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnosis , Testicular Neoplasms/diagnosis , Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/diagnosis , Agent Orange/chemistry , Defoliants, Chemical/chemistry , Defoliants, Chemical/poisoning , Humans , Kidney Neoplasms/chemically induced , Male , Prostatic Neoplasms/chemically induced , Risk Factors , Testicular Neoplasms/chemically induced , Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/chemically inducedABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: During the Vietnam War, many veterans were exposed to Agent Orange (AO), a chemical defoliant containing varying levels of the carcinogen dioxin. The health effects of AO exposure have been widely studied in the VA population. Here we review and interpret data regarding the association between AO exposure and bladder cancer (BC) mortality. MAIN FINDINGS: Data evaluating the association between AO and BC is limited. Methods characterizing exposure have become more sophisticated over time. Several studies support the link between AO exposure and increased mortality due to BC, including the Korean Veterans Health Study. CONCLUSIONS: Available data suggest an association with exposure to AO and increased mortality due to BC. In patients exposed to AO, increased frequency of cystoscopic surveillance and potentially more aggressive therapy for those with BC may be warranted but utility of these strategies remains to be proven. Additional research is required to better understand the relationship between AO and BC.
