Older age at the completion of linear growth is associated with an increased risk of adult glioma

• Authors: Rebecca B. Little, University of Alabama Birmingham; L. Burt Nabors, University of Alabama Birmingham; Jeffrey James Olson, Emory University; Zachary J. Thompson, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute; Carrie M. Rozmeski, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute; Renato V. LaRocca, Norton Cancer Institute; Peter A. Forsyth, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute; Reid C. Thompson, Vanderbilt University; Robert A. Oster, University of Alabama Birmingham; Sajeel A. Chowdhary, Lynn Cancer Institute; Kathleen M. Egan, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
• Journal Title: Cancer Causes and Control
• Volume: Volume 28, Number 7
• Publisher: Springer (part of Springer Nature): Springer Open Choice Hybrid Journals | 2017-07-01, Pages 709-716
• Type of Work: Article | Post-print: After Peer Review
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-017-0871-5
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Oncology; Health Sciences, General
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Oncology; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; Case-control studies; Glioma; Glioblastoma; Adolescence; Height; Menarche; BODY-MASS INDEX; CHILDHOOD HEIGHT; BRAIN-TUMORS; NERVOUS-SYSTEM; BIRTH-WEIGHT; CANCER RISK; LEG LENGTH; COHORT; MATURATION; MENINGIOMA

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the association of age when adult height was attained with glioma risk. Methods: We analyzed data from a US-based case–control study of glioma risk factors. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) associated between age at attainment of adult height and glioma risk. Multivariate models were adjusted for age, race, sex, education, and state of residence. We examined associations overall, and according to glioma grade, sex, and final adult height. Results: The study set included n = 951 controls and n = 776 cases, with a median age of 56 (18–92); the majority was male (53.8%) and identified as Caucasian. Older age at height completion was associated with an increased risk of glioma. A significant positive trend was observed both for glioblastoma (OR 1.10; 95% CI 1.04–1.17 per 1-year increase in age) and lower grade non-glioblastoma subtypes combined (OR 1.18; 95% CI 1.10–1.28 per year increase in age). The association was observed in men and women, and in all categories of final adult height. Conclusions: We observed for the first time a positive association between glioma risk and a prolonged adolescent growth phase. Our results suggest a role for factors governing the timing and intensity of growth in adolescence as risk-determining exposures in adult glioma.