ALCOHOL AS A RISK FACTOR IN HNC, AN ENORMOUS TOLL ON THE LIVES AND COMMUNITIES

Abstract

INTRODUCTION 
\nHead and neck cancer (HNC) is the seventh most common cancer in the world. After smoking, alcohol consumption is a strong 
\nassociated risk factor for HNC. Alcohol consumption has negative impact on health and social consequences. The existing 
\nliterature shows that alcohol consumption along with smoking is an important risk factor for HNC. 
\n 
\nMATERIAL AND METHODS 
\nIn this retrospective analysis of 12-years from 2001 to 2012, total 9,950 patients of histopathologically proven head and neck 
\ncancers, were included in the study. The patients were analyzed for their association with alcohol as an associated risk factor 
\nalong with smoking in different HNC subtypes. 
\n 
\nRESULTS 
\nMale to female ratio was 7:1 and median age of presentation was 54-years. 59% patients were alcoholics (alcoholics only+ 
\nsmokers as well as alcoholics), out of which 6% were alcoholics only and the strength of association differed between different 
\nHNC subtypes; maximum for oropharyngeal group (35%), and 7.6%, 5% and 10% for oral cavity, hypopharynx and larynx 
\nrespectively. Further evaluation has shown that total smokers (smokers only+ smokers as well as alcoholics) were 89%, out of 
\nwhich 36% were smokers only. At last follow-up, no evidence of disease (NED) was seen in 15% patients among total alcoholics 
\nand in 20% patients among non-alcoholics. 
\n 
\nCONCLUSION 
\nThe present retrospective study of HNC patients at a tertiary care centre over a period of twelve years concluded the strong 
\nassociation of alcohol consumption with HNC and its different subtypes. Alcohol problems have an enormous toll on lives and 
\ncommunities of the developing nations particularly in the populous regions of the world (e.g. in China and India). There is a 
\nneed to raise awareness among the population about the negative implications of alcohol consumption and to minimize them.