Can tobacco and alcohol raise the risk of head and neck cancers? Study finds out

When tobacco is smoked or chewed, it exposes the cells in the mouth, throat, and other parts of the head and neck to harmful chemicals. These chemicals can damage the DNA in cells, leading to mutations that can eventually result in cancerous growth. Similarly, alcohol consumption can irritate the cells in the mouth and throat, making them more susceptible to carcinogens. Additionally, alcohol can interfere with the body's ability to metabolize and eliminate these carcinogens, further increasing the risk of cancer.

In two case-control studies, researchers investigated the link between tobacco/alcohol consumption and head and neck cancer risk. The first study, conducted at the ENT Department of the University hospitals of Heidelberg and Giessen included 200 male patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer and 800 matched control subjects. Results showed that 4.5% of patients never smoked compared to 29.5% of controls. Patients had roughly double the tobacco and alcohol consumption of controls, with the highest consumption seen in oropharyngeal cancer patients. Tobacco and alcohol increased cancer risk in a dose-dependent manner and were independent risk factors. Heavy smokers (> 60 pack-years) had a relative risk of 23.4 (adjusted for alcohol).

In the second study conducted at the University of Heidelberg's ENT Department, 164 males with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and 656 matched controls were examined. Results showed that 4.2% of cases never smoked, contrasting with 28.5% of controls. Risk of laryngeal cancer increased with tobacco consumption, peaking at 9.1 (adjusted for alcohol) for consumption exceeding 50 tobacco-years (TY).

The findings concluded that the consumption of tobacco and alcohol lead to cellular damage, DNA mutations, and impaired cellular functions, all of which contribute to an increased risk of developing cancer in the head and neck area.

Reference: H. Maier, A. Dietz, U. Gewelke, W. D. Heller & H. Weidauer; Journal: Molecular Medicine; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00184668