Evaluation of Bladder Cancer in Opium Addicted Patients in the Kerman Province, Iran, from 1999 to 2003

Abstract

Background: It seems that there may be a relation between opium addiction and bladder cancer. This study has been performed to find this relationship in Kerman province.<br />Methods: We evaluated opium addiction in 150 patients with bladder cancer (study group) and150 tumor-free patients (control group) and compared them by two-tailed t-test and X2 test.<br />Results: The rate, duration, amounts and methods of opium abusing in the study group were significantly higher than control group.<br />Conclusion: The results suggest that the carcinogenic effects of opium addiction may be related to the amount, duration and the method of opium abuse.<br />Keywords: bladder tumor, addiction, opium