A. Zhong2, Y. Zhang2, J. Price1, E. Villegas1, D. Vyas1, S. Joseph1 1Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center,Department Of Surgery,Odessa, TX, USA 2Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center,School Of Medicine,Lubbock, TX, USA
Introduction:
Retroperitoneal neoplasms are rare with an annual incidence of 2.7 cases per 1,000,000. In rural West Texas there is a large amount of environmental exposure to chemicals involved in hydraulic fracturing. We suspect that chemical exposures have increased our incidence of retroperitoneal neoplasms.
Methods:
We did a retrospective review of all retroperitoneal neoplasms seen over the past 4 years. The total patient population of the region is 300,000 served by 3 hospitals.
We reviewed patient demographics and work history. Patients that lived further than 50 miles from the hospital or that recently moved to the area were excluded.
Results:
The expected number of cases should be 3.24 cases/4yrs. We saw a total of 9 cases that met the inclusion criteria. This represents a 278% increase over expected.
5 patients had sarcomas, 2 had cystic neoplasms, 1 had a primary retroperitoneal neuroendocrine tumor, and 1 had a lymphangioma.
6/9 patients or their spouse worked in the oilfields.
Conclusion:
We found a 278% increase incidence of retroperitoneal malignancies in this population. 2/3 had been exposed to chemicals involved with oil manufacturing. 1/3 had passive exposure living in this area.
We believe that the incidence of retroperitoneal malignancies is substantially higher than what we report. Many patients are referred to tertiary centers and there are other institutions providing care in the area.
We recommend extensive exposure history on any patient with a retroperitoneal neoplasm. Also, we believe a national registry be developed to track patients. Finally, improved public health monitoring for possible causes of this malignancy is imperative going forward.