Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Risk factors and genetic susceptibility

  • Chapter
Head and Neck Cancer

Part of the book series: Cancer Treatment and Research ((CTAR,volume 74))

Abstract

Upper aerodigestive tract (oral cavity, pharyngeal, and laryngeal) cancers are sentinel diseases of exposure to tobacco and alcohol, and thus can be considered the paradigm of environmentally induced disease. The fact that only a fraction of exposed individuals develop these cancers suggests interindividual differences in susceptibility to these environmental insults. In fact, heritable differences in susceptibility may be identified at almost every phase of carcinogenesis, for example, in the ability to metabolize carcinogens, DNA repair capability, genomic instability, and altered protooncogene and tumor suppressor gene expression [1]. This chapter will review briefly the environmental contribution to the incidence of upper aerodigestive tract cancers and will explore some of the host factors that modify genetic damage from these and other carcinogenic exposures.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 259.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Shields PG, Harris CC. Molecular epidemiology and the genetics of environmental cancer. JAMA 266:681–687, 1991.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures — 1994. Atlanta: American Cancer Society, p. 6, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Miller BA, Ries LAG, Hankey BF, Kosary CL, Edwards BK. Cancer statistics review: 1973–1989. Washington DC: National Cancer Institute NIH publication 92–2789, 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Rothman KJ, Cann CI, Flanders D, et al. Epidemiology of laryngeal cancer. Epidemiol Rev 2:195–209, 1980.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Wynder EL, Covey LS, Mabuchi K, et al. Environmental factors in cancer of the larynx: A second look. Cancer 38:1591–1601, 1976.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Blot WJ, McLaughlin JK, Winn DM, et al. Smoking and drinking in relation to oral and pharyngeal cancer. Cancer Res 48:3282–3287, 1988.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Wynder EL, Stellman SD. Impact of long-term filter cigarette usage on lung and larynx cancer risk: a case-control study. J Natl Cancer Inst 62:471–477, 1979.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Spitz MR, Fueger JJ, Goepfert H, Hong WK, Newell GR. Squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract: a case-comparison analysis. Cancer 61:203–208, 1988.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Maier H, Dietz A, Gewelke U, Heller WD, Weidauer H. Tobacco and alcohol and the risk of head and neck cancer. Clin Invest 70:320–327, 1992.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. De Stefani E, Correa P, Oreggia F, et al. Risk factors for laryngeal cancer. Cancer 60:3087–3091, 1987.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Tobacco Smoking. IARC Monograph on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Humans, Vol. 380. Lyon: IARC, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Kahn HA. The Dorn study of smoking and mortality among US veterans: Report on eight and one-half years of observation. Natl Cancer Inst Mongr 19:1–125, 1966.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Wynder EL, Bross IJ, Day E. A study of environmental factors in cancer of the larynx. Cancer 9:86–110, 1956.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. The Health Consequences of Using Smokeless Tobacco: A Report of the Advisory Committee to the Surgeon General. Washington DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute NIH publication 86-2874, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Winn DM, Blot WJ, Shy CM, et al. Snuff dipping and oral cancer among women in the southern United States. N Engl J Med 304:745–749, 1981.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Hoffman D, Harley NH, Fisenne I, et al. Carcinogenic agents in snuff. J Natl Cancer Inst 76:435–437, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Cullen JW, Blot W, Henningfield J, et al. Health consequences of using smokeless tobacco. Summary of the advisory committee’s report to the surgeon general. Public Health Rep 101:355–373, 1986.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Tuyns AJ. Alcohol. In: D Schottenfeld, JF Fraumeni, eds. Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 1982, pp 293–303.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Saracci R. The interactions of tobacco smoking and other agents in cancer etiology. Epidemiol Rev 9:175–193, 1987.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Caplan GA, Brigham BA. Marijuana smoking and carcinoma of the tongue. Is there an association? Cancer 66:1005–1006, 1990.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Moore C, Catlin D. Anatomic origins and locations of oral cancer. Am J Surg 114: 510–513, 1967.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Wey PD, Lotz MJ, Triedman LJ. Oral cancer in women nonusers of tobacco and alcohol. Cancer 60:1644–1650, 1987.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Schantz SP, Byers RM, Goepfert H, Shallenberger RC, Beddingfield N. The implication of tobacco use in the young adult with head and neck cancer. Cancer 62:1374–1380, 1988.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Wynder EL, Kabat GC, Rosenthal S, Levenstein M. Oral cancer and mouthwash use. J Natl Cancer Inst 70:255–260, 1983.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Blot WJ, Winn DM, Fraumeni JF. Oral cancer and mouthwash. J Natl Cancer Inst 70:255–260, 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Winn DM, Blot WJ, McLaughlin JK, Austin DF, Greenberg RS, Preston-Martin S, et al. Mouthwash use and oral conditions in the risk of oral and pharyngeal cancer. Cancer Res 51:3044–3047, 1991.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Burch JD, Howe GR, Miller AB, et al. Tobacco, alcohol, asbestos, and nickel in the etiology of cancer of the larynx: A case-control study. J Natl Cancer Inst 67:1219–1224, 1981.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Shannon HS, Julian JA, Roberts RS. A mortality study of 11,500 nickel workers. J Natl Cancer Inst 73:1251–1258, 1984.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Zagraniski RT, Kelsey JL, Walter SD. Occupational risk factors for laryngeal carcinoma: Connecticut, 1975–1980. Am J Epidemiol 124:67–76, 1986.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Soskolne CL, Zeighami EA, Hanis NM, et al. Laryngeal cancer and occupational exposure to sulfuric acid. Am J Epidemiol 120:358–369, 1984.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Wada S, Nishimoto Y, Miyanishi M, et al. Mustard gas as a cause of respiratory neoplasia in man. Lancet 1:1161–1163, 1968.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Mahboudi E, Sayed GM. Oral cavity and pharynx. In: D Schottenfeld, JF Fraumeni Jr., eds. Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 1982, pp 583–595.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Maier H, Dietz A, Gewelke V, Heller WD. Occupational exposure to hazardous substances and risk of cancer in the area of the mouth cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx. A case-control study. Laryngol Rhin Otol 70:93–98, 1991.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Mackerras D, Buffler PA, Randall DE, Nichaman MZ, Pickle LW, Mason TJ. Carotene intake and the risk of laryngeal cancer in coastal Texas. Am J Epidemiol 128:980–988, 1988.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Marshall J, Graham S, Mettlin C, Shedd D, Swanson M. Diet in the epidemiology of oral cancer. Nutr Cancer 3:145–149, 1982.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. McLaughlin JK, Gridley G, Block G, et al. Dietary factors in oral and pharyngeal cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 80:1237–1243, 1988.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Zheng W, Blot WJ, Xiao-Ou S, et al. Risk factors for oral and pharyngeal cancer in Shanghai with emphasis on diet. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 1:441–448, 1992.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Winn DM, Ziegler RG, Pickle LW, Gridley G, Blot WJ, Hoover R. Diet in the etiology of oral and pharyngeal cancer among women from the southern United States. Cancer Res 44:1216–1223, 1984.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Micozzi MS, Belcher GR, Taylor PR, Okhachik F. Carotenoid analysis of selected raw and cooked foods associated with a lower risk for cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 82:282–285, 1990.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Stefani ED, Correa P, Oreggia F, et al. Risk factors for laryngeal cancer. Cancer 60:3087–3091, 1987.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Zheng W, Blot WJ, Xiao-Ou S, et al. Diet and other risk factors for laryngeal cancer in Shanghai, China. Am J Epidemiol 136:178–179, 1992.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Kassim KH, Daley TD. Herpes simplex virus type proteins in human oral squamous cell carcinoma. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 65:445–448, 1988.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Shillitoe EJ, Greenspan D, Greenspan JS, Silverman S Jr. Antibody to early and late antigens of herpes simplex virus type 1 in patients with oral cancer. Cancer 54:266–273, 1986.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Park NH, Sapp JP, Herbosa EG. Oral cancer induced in hamsters with herpes simplex infection and simulated snuff dipping. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 42:164–168, 1986.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Maitland NJ, Bromidge T, Cox MF, Crane IJ, Prime SS, Scully C. Detection of human papillomavirus genes in human oral tissue biospies and cultures by polymerase chain reaction. Br J Cancer 59:698–703, 1988.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Watts SL, Brewer EE, Fry TL. Human papillomaviruses DNA in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 71:701–707, 1991.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Yeudall WA, Campo MS. Human papillomavirus DNA in biopsies of oral tissues. J Gen Virol 72:173–176, 1991.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Woods KV, Shillitoe EJ, Spitz MR, Schantz SP, Adler-Storthz K. Analysis of human papilloma-virus DNA in oral squamous cell carcinomas. J Oral Pathol Med 22:101–108, 1993.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Kashima HK, Kutcher M, Kesis T, Levin LS, de Villiers EM, Shak K. Human papillomavirus in squamous cell carcinoma, leukoplakia lichen planus, and clinically normal epithelium in the oral cavity. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 99:55–61, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Jenison SA, Xiu-ping Y, Valentine JM, et al. Evidence of prevalent genital type human papillomavirus infections in adults and children. J Infect Dis 162:60–69, 1990.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Law MR. Genetic predisposition to lung cancer. Br J Cancer 61:195–206, 1990.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Wolf CR. Metabolic factors in cancer susceptibility. Cancer Surv 9:437–474, 1990.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Vahakangas K, Pelkonen O. Host variations in carcinogen metabolism and DNA repair. In: HT Lynch, T Hirayama, eds. Genetic Epidemiology of Cancer. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1989, pp 35–54.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Kellermann G, Luyten-Kellermann M, Jett JR, Moses HL, Fontana RS. Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase in man and lung cancer. Hum Genet 1(Suppl):161–168, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  55. Kouri RE, McKinney CE, Slomianry DT, et al. Positive correlation between aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity and primary lung cancer as analyzed in cryopreserved lymphocytes. Cancer Res 42:5030–5037, 1982.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. McLemore TL, Adelberg S, Liu MC, et al. Expression of CYP 1A1 gene in patients with lung cancer: evidence for cigarette smoke-induced gene expression in normal lung tissue and for altered gene regulation in primary pulmonary carcinoma. J Natl Cancer Inst 82:1333–1339, 1990.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Peart GF, Boutagy J, Shenfield GM. Debrisoquine oxidation in an Australian population. Br J Clin Pharmacol 21:465–471, 1986.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Ayesh R, Idle JR, Ritchie J, et al. Metabolic oxidative phenotypes as markers for susceptibility to lung cancer. Nature 312:169–170, 1984.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Sugimura H, Caporaso NE, Shaw GL, et al. Human debrisoquine hydroxylase gene polymorphisms in cancer patients and controls. Carcinogenesis 11:1527–1530, 1990.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Heckbert SR, Weiss NS, Hornung SK, Eaton DL, Motulsky AG. Glutathione S-transferase and epoxide hydroxylase activity in human leukocytes in relation to risk of lung cancer and other smoking-related cancers. J Natl Cancer Inst 84:414–422, 1992.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Gatti RA. Localizing the genes for ataxia-telangiectasia: a human model for inherited cancer susceptibility. Adv Cancer Res 56:77–104, 1991.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Swift M, Reitrauer PJ, Morrell D, Chase CL. Breast and other cancers in families with ataxia-telangiectasia. N Engl J Med 316:1289–1294, 1987.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Gantt R, Parshad R, Price FM, Sanford KK. Biochemical evidence for deficient DNA repair leading to enhanced G2 chromatid radiosensitivity and susceptibility to cancer. Radiat Res 108:117–126, 1986.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Pero RW, Miller DG, Lipkin M, et al. Reduced capacity for DNA repair synthesis in patients with or genetically predisposed to colorectal cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 70:867–875, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  65. Chan JY, Becker FF, German J, Ray JH. Altered DNA ligase I activity in Bloom’s syndrome cells. Nature 325:357–359, 1987.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Hsu TC. Genetic predisposition to cancer with special reference to mutagen sensitivity. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol 23:591–603, 1987.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Hsu TC, Johnston DA, Cherry LM, Ramkissoon D, Schantz SP, Jessup JM, et al. Sensitivity to genotoxic effects of bleomycin in humans: possible relationship to environmental carcinogenesis. Int J Cancer 43:403–409, 1989.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Spitz MR, Fueger JJ, Beddingfield NA, Annegers JF, Hsu TC, Newell GR, et al. Chromosome sensitivity to bleomycin-induced mutagenesis: an independent risk factor for upper aerodigestive tract cancers. Cancer Res 49:4626–4628, 1989.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Spitz MR, Fueger JJ, Halabi S, Schantz SP, Sample D, Hsu TC. Mutagen sensitivity in upper aerodigestive tract cancer: a case-control analysis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2:329–333, 1993.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Bondy ML, Spitz MR, Halabi S, Fueger JJ, Schantz SP, Sample D, Hsu TC. Association between family history of cancer and mutagen sensitivity in upper aerodigestive tract cancer patients. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2:103–106, 1993.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Schantz SP, Spitz MR, Hsu TC. Mutagen sensitivity in patients with head and neck cancers: a biologic marker for risk of multiple primary malignancies. J Natl Cancer Inst 82:1773–1775, 1990.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Spitz MR, Hoque A, Trizna Z, Schantz SP, Amos CI, Bondy ML, Hong WK, Hsu TC. Mutagen sensitivity as a risk factor for second malignant tumors following upper aerodigestive tract malignancies. J Natl Cancer Inst, in press, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  73. Cloos J, Braakhuis BJM, Steen I, et al. Increased mutagen sensitivity in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients, particularly those with multiple primary tumors. Cancer Lett 74:161–165, 1993.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Hsu TC, Furlong C, Spitz MR. Ethyl alcohol as a cocarcinogen with special reference to the aerodigestive tract: a cytogenetic study. Anticancer Res 325:357–359, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Margaret R. Spitz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, USA

    Waun Ki Hong M.D.  & Randal S. Weber M.D.  & 

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1995 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Spitz, M.R. (1995). Risk factors and genetic susceptibility. In: Hong, W.K., Weber, R.S. (eds) Head and Neck Cancer. Cancer Treatment and Research, vol 74. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2023-8_4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2023-8_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-5837-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-2023-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation