Firefighter occupation is associated with increased risk for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma among men from the Greater Boston area

Abstract

ObjectiveFirefighters are exposed to a wide variety of carcinogens during the line of duty, including several associated with head and neck cancer. Existing studies assessing head and neck cancer risk with firefighting have predominately included occupational cohorts or registry data, which are limited by inability to adjust for smoking and alcohol consumption—major risk factors for head and neck cancer. Our objective was to assess the risk of head and neck cancer among men with an occupational history as a firefighter.MethodsThis work was conducted using male subjects from a large population-based case–control study of head and neck cancer from the greater Boston area using self-reported occupational history (718 cases and 905 controls).ResultsAn occupational history as a firefighter was reported for 11 cases and 14 controls. Although no significant association was observed overall, we observed substantial increased risk for hypopharyngeal and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma among professional municipal firefighters who had a light or no smoking history (OR=8.06, 95% CI 1.74 to 37.41), with significantly increasing risk per decade as a firefighter (OR=2.10, 95% CI 1.06 to 4.14).ConclusionProfessional municipal firefighters may be at increased risk for hypopharyngeal and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma due to carcinogenic exposures encountered during the line of duty.

Characteristics of Patients with Malignant Laryngeal Tumors in Annually Forest Fire Region in Indonesia

“…Forest fire will produce a consistent smoke especially in dry season [7]. Study in Boston found that firefighter was the person who susceptible to laryngeal malignancy although there is no history of smoking [14]. Some other profession who have high risk were gasoline station worker, wood processing worker, toxic dust exposure, and mineral industry worker [15].…”

International Symposium on Occupational Safety and Hygiene: Proceedings Book of the SHO2023

“…These results are consistent with studies conducted in other countries, such as Scotland (Ide, 2014) and Australia (Glass et al, 2017), which found that firefighters had a higher risk of cancer incidence and mortality, particularly for melanoma and kidney cancers. Additionally, a case-control study conducted in the US found that firefighters had a significantly increased risk of head and neck cancer compared to the control group, and this risk was even higher among professionals with longer duration of employment and a history of smoking (Langevin et al, 2020). Finally, a cohort research in the US, including female firefighters, found an increased risk of cancer incidence and mortality, particularly for respiratory, digestive, and urinary cancers, with an excess of mortality due to breast and bladder cancer within the female group (Daniels et al, 2014).…”

Occupational Health of Firefighters: A Systematic Review

“…These results are consistent with studies conducted in other countries, such as Scotland (Ide, 2014) and Australia (Glass et al, 2017), which found that firefighters had a higher risk of cancer incidence and mortality, particularly for melanoma and kidney cancers. Additionally, a case-control study conducted in the US found that firefighters had a significantly increased risk of head and neck cancer compared to the control group, and this risk was even higher among professionals with longer duration of employment and a history of smoking (Langevin et al, 2020). Finally, a cohort research in the US, including female firefighters, found an increased risk of cancer incidence and mortality, particularly for respiratory, digestive, and urinary cancers, with an excess of mortality due to breast and bladder cancer within the female group (Daniels et al, 2014).…”