Investigating the Association between Alcohol and Risk of Head and Neck Cancer in Taiwan

Cheng Chih Huang, Jenn Ren Hsiao, Wei Ting Lee, Yao Chou Lee, Chun Yen Ou, Chan Chi Chang, Yu Cheng Lu, Jehn Shyun Huang, Tung Yiu Wong, Ken Chung Chen, Sen Tien Tsai, Sheen Yie Fang, Jiunn Liang Wu, Yuan Hua Wu, Wei Ting Hsueh, Chia Jui Yen, Shang Yin Wu, Jang Yang Chang, Chen Lin Lin, Yi Hui WangYa Ling Weng, Han Chien Yang, Yu Shan Chen, Jeffrey S. Chang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Although alcohol is an established risk factor of head and neck cancer (HNC), insufficiencies exist in the literature in several aspects. We analyzed detailed alcohol consumption data (amount and type of alcoholic beverage) of 811 HNC patients and 940 controls to evaluate the association between alcohol and HNC by HNC sites and by genotypes of ADH1B and ALDH2. Alcohol was associated with an increased HNC risk in a dose-response relationship, with the highest risk observed for hypopharyngeal cancer, followed by oropharyngeal and laryngeal cancers. Liquor showed a stronger positive association with HNC than beer and wine. The highest HNC risk occurred in individuals with the slow ADH1B and slow/non-functional ALDH2 genotype combination. In our study population, 21.8% of HNCs, 55.7% of oropharyngeal cancers, and 89.1% of hypopharyngeal cancers could be attributed to alcohol. Alcohol accounted for 47.3% of HNCs among individuals with the slow ADH1B and slow/non-functional ALDH2 genotype combination. The HNC risk associated with alcohol became comparable to that of never/occasional drinkers after ten or more years of cessation from regular alcohol drinking. In conclusion, alcohol use is associated with an increased HNC risk, particularly for individuals with slow ethanol metabolism. HNC incidence may be reduced by alcohol cessation.

Original languageEnglish
Article number9701
JournalScientific Reports
Volume7
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2017
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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