A Case-Control Study of Risk Factors for Salivary Gland Cancer in Canada

Abstract

Aim. To assess the effect of various lifestyle risk factors on the risk of salivary gland cancer in Canada using data from a population-based case-control study. Methods. Data from a population-based case-control study of 132 incident cases of salivary gland cancer and 3076 population controls were collected through self-administered questionnaire and analysed using unconditional logistic regression. Results. Four or more servings/week of processed meat product was associated with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.62 (1.02–2.58). Nonsignificantly increased ORs were also related to obesity, >7 drinks/week of alcohol consumption, and occupational exposure to radiation. Furthermore, nonsignificantly decreased ORs were found to be associated with high education level (>12 years) (OR = 0.65), high consumption of spinach/squash (OR = 0.62) and all vegetables/vegetable juices (OR = 0.75), and >30 sessions/month of recreational physical activity (OR = 0.78). Conclusions. This study suggests positive associations with consumption of processed meat, smoking, obesity, alcohol drinking, and occupational exposure to radiation as well as negative associations with higher education, consumption of spinach/squash, and physical activity, which suggest a role of lifestyle factors in the etiology of salivary gland cancer. However, these findings were based on small number of cases and were nonsignificant. Further larger studies are warranted to confirm our findings.

Radiation therapy for parotid gland tumors: long term data from a large single Institution experience.

“…Current therapeutic approach to PGT includes surgery (as radical as possible) and radiotherapy [10,11]. As already mentioned, PGT are a group of rare and extremely heterogeneous diseases.…”

“…To our knowledge, to date there are no clear recognized risk factors for PGT. A Canadian case-control study suggested that some lifestyle factors (smoking, obesity, alcohol consumption, processed meat and occupational exposure to radiation as well as previous radiation therapy for another head and neck cancer) may contribute to the develop of PGT [10]. Since the rarity of the disease a multidisciplinary treatment approach is mandatory, especially for locally advanced cancer.…”

AHNS series: Do you know your guidelines? Diagnosis and management of salivary gland tumors

“…Pleomorphic adenoma, a benign tumor of salivary gland origin, is a well‐established risk factor for malignant transformation to carcinoma ex‐pleomorphic adenoma, which has been shown to occur in 3.3%‐8.5% of cases, with the risk of malignant transformation increasing with time . Dietary factors, education level and exercise may play a role but this has yet to be proven . As will be discussed later in this article in connection with clinical trials and targeted therapy, new developments in molecular biology and identification of genetic abnormalities in salivary gland cancer may shed light on the risk factors for salivary gland malignancy.…”

“…[24][25][26] Dietary factors, education level and exercise may play a role but this has yet to be proven. 27 As will be discussed later in this article in connection with clinical trials and targeted therapy, new developments in molecular biology and identification of genetic abnormalities in salivary gland cancer may shed light on the risk factors for salivary gland malignancy.…”

Molecular and Cellular Modelling of Salivary Gland Tumors Open New Landscapes in Diagnosis and Treatment

“…Most of these tumors are benign and might evolve into a malignant form after several years from their initial diagnosis. Previous exposure to irradiation is one of the most common causes of the salivary gland cancers, although viral infection and prolonged chemical usage correlate with a high incidence of glandular tumors [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ].…”