Objectives Asbestos describes a group of naturally occurring silicate mineral fibers that were widely used in industry during the 20th century due to their desirable physical properties. Although use in the United States has fallen over the last three decades, significant exposure in the developing world continues and the burden of disease is considerable. Asbestos is a known risk factor for several malignant diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma, and has more recently been implicated in pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer. However, studies of asbestos and cancers of the larynx or pharynx with adequate sample-size that control for major head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) risk factors remain relatively sparse. Methods We report findings from a case-control study of 674 incident male HNSCC cases from the greater Boston region and 857 population-based male controls, matched on age (+/− 3 years), sex, and town or neighborhood of residence. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between occupational asbestos exposure and HNSCC by primary tumor site. Results A total of 190 cases (28.2%) and 203 controls (23.7%) reported an occupational exposure to asbestos. Occupational asbestos exposure was associated with an elevated risk of pharyngeal carcinoma in men (OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.01–1.97), adjusted for age, race, smoking, alcohol consumption, education, income, and HPV16 serology, with borderline increasing risk for each decade at the exposed occupation (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 0.99–1.23). Conclusion These observations are consistent with the mounting evidence that asbestos is a risk factor for pharyngeal cancer.
Asbestos describes a group of naturally occurring silicate mineral fibers that were frequently used in industry during the 20th century due to their desirable flame retardant and tensile properties. Although use has fallen over the last three decades, exposure continues and the burden of disease is considerable. The primary routes of exposure to the fibers include inhalation and ingestion. Asbestos is a known risk factor for several malignant respiratory diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma, and has more recently been implicated in pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer. However, studies of asbestos and cancers of the larynx or pharynx with adequate sample-size and control for other risk factors for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) such as smoking and drinking habit remain somewhat sparse. We report findings from a case-control study consisting of 934 incident HNSCC cases from the greater Boston region and 1180 population-based controls, frequency matched on age (+/- 3 years), sex, and town or neighborhood of residence. Study subjects completed a self-administered questionnaire that provided detailed data on history of asbestos exposure, sociodemographics and personal characteristics, alcohol and tobacco use, personal and family cancer history, and other relevant dietary, occupational, residential and medical exposures. Occupational asbestos exposure was dichotomized as exposed or never exposed based on self reported occupation data. Multivariate unconditional logistic regression was used to assess the association between asbestos exposure and HNSCC, overall and by primary tumor site and smoking history. A total of 217 cases (23.2%) and 226 controls (19.2%) reported an occupational exposure to asbestos. We observed a borderline association of asbestos exposure and laryngopharyngeal cancer (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.95-1.59), adjusted for age, sex, race, smoking, alcohol consumption, and education. After stratifying by smoking history, a significant association was observed between asbestos exposure and laryngopharyngeal cancer among ever-smokers (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.00-1.84). These observations are consistent with the mounting evidence that asbestos is a risk factor for pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer. Citation Format: Scott M. Langevin, Mattie H. O'Sullivan, Jennifer L. Valerio, Kate M. Applebaum, Melissa Eliot, Michael D. McClean, Karl T. Kelsey. Occupational asbestos exposure is associated with head and neck cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3627. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3627
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.