Incidence of Smoking and Alcohol Abuse in Cancers of Oropharynx, Hypopharynx and Larynx in Our Regional Institute

Background: Head and neck cancers consist of diverse group of upper aero - digestive tract malignancies that comprise cancers of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx and oesophagus. Tobacco and alcohol abuse are predominant risk factors in these cancers with fivefold increase in risk of developing oral cavity, oropharynx and hypopharynx cancers, and a 10fold increased risk of laryngeal cancer, among tobacco users. The present study was conducted on 55 patients of either sex of oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal or laryngeal cancer to know the incidence of smoking and alcohol intake among these patients. Result: In our study, out of 55 cases, smoking was most commonly seen habit among all cancers which was universal in oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal and in 94.4% of laryngeal cancer. Alcohol abuse was present in 38.7%, 27.8% and 16.7% in oropharyngeal, laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers. Same pattern was seen with subjects who had smoking and alcohol both. Tobacco use was seen in 3.2% of oropharyngeal and 50% of hypopharyngeal cases. Conclusion: Our study provides strong evidence of major role of tobacco and alcohol consumption as risk factors of head and neck cancers. Along with these, there are other factors which play causative role in head and neck cancers such as poor nutrition, poor socioeconomic status and viral infections. Tobacco and alcohol consumption are rather common habits among the adult Indian population therefore cessation of either of these two agents can help preventing these cancers and reducing the overall burden of head and neck cancers.