Head & Neck Cancer Risk Factors

Understanding Head & Neck Cancer Risk Factors

Head and neck cancers typically begin in the tissues that line the hollow organs or cavities. The disease is sometimes identified by the tissue type or organ where it begins.

For example, adenocarcinomas develop in the glandular tissues, such as the salivary glands. Squamous cell carcinomas develop in the squamous epithelium, a thin lining made up of flat cells on structures, such as in the larynx. Most head and neck cancers are squamous cell carcinomas.

As with many types of cancer, the risk of developing a head and neck cancer may be increased by certain lifestyle behaviors and environmental factors, such as smoking and exposure to carcinogens.

Risk factors will also depend on the location and type of cancer. Certain conditions, like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), may increase the chance of esophageal cancer, but not other head and neck cancers in the sinuses (nasal cavity), mouth (oral cavity), salivary glands, or lymph nodes. Tobacco, however, is a risk factor common to all head and neck cancers.

The National Cancer Institute reports that 85 percent of people who develop head and neck cancers have a history of tobacco use, particularly smoking. Chewing tobacco is also linked to an increased risk for oral cavity cancer.

Common Head & Neck Cancer Risk Factors

Men are three times as likely to develop head and neck cancer, perhaps because men may be likely to smoke and drink alcohol more than women. Smoking and heavy drinking combined dramatically increase a person's risk of head and neck cancer.

In addition, some head and neck cancers, like laryngeal cancer, tend to be slower growing and are more often diagnosed in people over 65 years of age.

Risk factors common to most head and neck cancers include the following:

• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Alcohol abuse
• Poor nutrition and vitamin deficiencies
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
• Exposure to high doses of radiation therapy, particularly in the head or neck region

Alcohol abuse may also be related to certain vitamin deficiencies. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly foods high in vitamins A and B, may reduce the risk of certain cancers.

Cancer-Specific Risk Factors for Head & Neck Cancers

Depending on the location and function of the organ or structure, certain factors may be a risk for one type of head and neck cancer and not another. For example, exposure to sunlight may increase the risk of lip and oral cavity cancer, but does not increase the risk of pharyngeal cancer.

Some of the specific risk factors by head and neck cancer type include:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may cause heartburn (acid reflux), causing damage to the lining of the esophagus and increase the risk of esophageal cancer.
• The habit of chewing betel quid (betel leaves wrapped around areca nuts) is more common in some parts of Asia and may pose an increased risk of oral or esophageal cancers.
• The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), known for causing "mono" in young adults, may be associated with the development of certain cancers, including nasopharyngeal cancer.
• Plummer-Vinson syndrome, a rare condition characterized by dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), anemia, and esophageal webs, may be linked to an increased risk of esophageal cancer.
• There may be evidence that exposure to asbestos or certain industrial chemicals may increase the risk of laryngeal cancer.

NOTE: Anything that increases your risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer. Not having risk factors does not mean that you won't get cancer. If you think you may be at risk, you should discuss it with your doctor.

Hereditary Risk Factors of Head & Neck Cancer

Two particular inherited genetic syndromes, Fanconi anemia and Dyskeratosis congenita, may greatly increase the likelihood of developing throat and mouth cancers in people at an early age.

Understanding Your Risk Factors

More often, it is a combination of factors that cause cancer. However, just because you have one or more of these risk factors does not necessarily mean you will develop a head or neck cancer.

There is a strong link between tobacco use, particularly in smokers, and the development of head and neck cancers. Talk to your doctor if you need help quitting smoking, or if you believe you may be at an increased risk for developing a head or neck cancer. Together, you and your doctor can manage your overall health and well being.

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