Comparison of Soft Tissue Sarcoma Incidence in U.S. Military Personnel and General Male Population
A recent investigation has revealed contrasting rates of soft tissue sarcomas, which are cancers affecting muscle, fat, blood vessels, nerves, and tendons, between young U.S. active-duty military personnel and men in the general population. Findings indicate that younger servicemen exhibit lower incidence rates of these cancers compared to their civilian counterparts, while middle-aged military men demonstrate higher rates, potentially linked to prolonged exposure to environmental toxins.
The study, published in Cancer, focuses on the occurrence of soft tissue sarcomas, which are categorized as rare cancers appearing in various body tissues including muscle, adipose tissue, and internal organs. The majority of these sarcomas arise sporadically; however, a subset is associated with environmental exposures such as radiation.
Given the unique environmental exposures faced by military personnel, researchers undertook a comparative analysis of soft tissue sarcoma incidence rates between active-duty U.S. servicemen and men within the general population. The objective was to ascertain any disparities in the prevalence of these cancers, potentially providing insights for future research into associated factors.
Due to limited data on active servicewomen, a similar analysis for female servicemembers was not feasible. The analysis utilized data from the Department of Defense's Automated Central Tumor Registry (ACTUR) for active-duty servicemen alongside the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program for the general male population.
Results indicated that soft tissue sarcoma incidence rates for men aged 18 to 59 years were significantly lower in the ACTUR dataset when compared to SEER, with an overall reduction of 14%. Specifically, rates were 22% lower for those aged 18 to 39, 15% lower among white men, and 23% lower among Black men relative to their civilian counterparts.
Additionally, the study found that rates of metastatic soft tissue sarcomas were also lower in the military dataset. Conversely, for men aged 40 to 59, the incidence rates of these cancers were higher in the military population, particularly for localized tumors.
The researchers propose that the reduced incidence rates among younger servicemen may be attributable to better overall health and the early detection and treatment of cancer-related conditions within the military healthcare system, which provides comprehensive care. In contrast, the elevated rates among older servicemen, especially for localized tumors, may stem from cumulative exposure to toxins associated with military service or the benefits of early diagnosis afforded by universal healthcare access, which may not be as readily available in the civilian population.
Senior author Dr. Kangmin Zhu of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences stated that this study aims to provide foundational data that could inform further analytical studies investigating the factors contributing to the observed differences between military and civilian populations. He emphasized the need for additional descriptive research utilizing more recent data that encompasses a broader cohort of military patients.
For further details, refer to the original study: Julie A. Bytnar et al, Incidence Rates of Soft Tissue Sarcoma among U.S. Military Servicemen: Comparison with the Rates in the General U.S. Population, Cancer (2024).
