EPIDEMIOLOGICAL APPROACH TO THE ETIOLOGY OF CANCER OF THE LARYNX

Abstract

• Data on 209 cases of laryngeal cancer in the United States, 138 cases in India, and additional cases in Sweden showed that this condition was but rarely seen among men who were nonsmokers or light smokers. Heavy consumption of whiskey increased the risk for intrinsic and particularly extrinsic laryngeal cancer, but no increased risk was found for those consuming beer or wine predominantly.In India extrinsic laryngeal cancer was found to be related to both bidi smoking and betel nut chewing. The Swedish data on extrinsic cancer of the larynx in women showed a relation to dietary deficiencies, which could not be demonstrated for American data. No relation to voice strain, syphilis, tuberculosis, occupation, or family history was found.