Fiber Intake and Risk of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Some studies examined the inverse relation between nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) risk and dietary fibers in endemic populations. By means of a hospital-based case-control study, we verified whether this association was also present in Italy in connection with various types of dietary fibers. Cases were 198 patients with incident, histologically confirmed, NPC admitted to major teaching and general hospitals during 1992-2008. Controls were 594 patients admitted for acute, nonneoplastic conditions to the same hospital network of cases. Information was elicited using a validated food frequency questionnaire including 78 foods, food groups, or dishes. Odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated for quartiles of intake of different types of fiber after allowance for energy intake and other potential confounding factors. Total fiber intake was inversely related to risk of NPC (OR = 0.58 for the highest vs. the lowest quartile of intake; 95% CI: 0.34-0.96). We found an inverse association for total soluble (OR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.35-0.96) and total insoluble fiber (OR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.33-0.95), in particular cellulose (OR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.33-0.96), and lignin (OR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.31-0.85). In conclusion, this study suggests that dietary intake of soluble and insoluble fibers is inversely related to NPC risk in a nonendemic southern population.

The Role of Soluble, Insoluble Fibers and Their Bioactive Compounds in Cancer: A Mini Review

“…It has been concluded that insoluble fiber may provide slightly higher chemoprotection compared to soluble one [32]. In a large cohort study intakes of legumes, whole grains, and cruciferous vegetables were also associated with a 16% -18% reduced risk of renal cell carcinoma [33].…”

Increased Risk of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma with Increasing Levels of Diet-Associated Inflammation in an Italian Case–Control Study

“…Previous results based on these data indicated an increased consumption of carotenoids, including α-carotene and β-carotene, and yellow- or red-pigmented vegetables to be protective against NPC [30,43]. In addition, dietary intake of soluble and insoluble fibers was inversely related to NPC risk [31]. All of these nutrients and food items contribute to decreased DII scores [13].…”

“…A case–control study on NPC was conducted between January 1992 and December 2008 within an established network of centres, including Aviano (Pordenone) and Milan in northern Italy, and Naples and Catania in southern Italy [31,30]. Cases were 198 European subjects (157 men, 41 women; median age 52 years, range 18–76 years) admitted to major teaching and general hospitals in the study areas with incident, histologically confirmed incident NPC diagnosed within one year before interview, and with no history of cancer at other sites.…”

Vegetables and fruits in the prevention and treatment of cancer in the light of evidence-based medicine (part 2)

“…Итальянским медикам удалось показать достоверную обратную связь потребления ПВ и риска развития карциномы носоглотки [25], который снижался на 42 % в группе с максимальным потреблением ПВ. Также достоверная обратная связь была ими установлена и с потреблением растворимых (пектин) и нерастворимых (клетчатка и лигнин) ПВ.…”