Anepidemiological study of cancer larynx in Alexandria

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this work is to study the pattern of cancer larynx in Alexandria and to investigate some factors associated with its occurrence. All cases of cancer larynx admitted to Alexandria major hospitals [Main University Hospital and Gamal Abdel-Nassr Health Insurance Hospital] during 1994 were included in the study. For each case a control matched for age and sex was chosen from patients admitted to the same hospital for causes unrelated to cancer larynx. A questionnaire was completed by interview with the patient or his/her companion to collect the data concerning basic epidemiologic data, medical history, habits and exposures. Majority of cases occurred among males [84%]. The peak of occurrence was observed in elderly persons [65-74 years]. Supraglottic cancer larynx constituted 84% of all cases in men and 78% in women. The risk of cancer larynx was 12 times higher among smokers [OR = 12.27], 8 times among those who drink alcohol [OR = 8.75], 4 times in those with history of voice strain [OR = 4.28] and 2.5 times in those with low and very low social standards [OR = 2.55]. Exposure to wood dust increased the risk of cancer larynx 5 times. After controlling confounders by using multivariate logistic regression low social class, smoking, exposure to wood dust and voice strain remained significant risk factors [OR = 2.09, 10.6, 3.8 and 2.4, respectively], but the effect of alcohol intake was deleted. No exposure for irradiation of neck for thyroid, oil, leather, textile materials or precancerous lesions was found among cases or controls. In conclusion, cancer larynx is disease of old age and low social class. Smoking, alcohol intake, wood dust and voice strain increase the risk of occurrence of cancer larynx