Laryngeal Cancer Risk Factors
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Risk Factors for Laryngeal Cancer
Men are five times as likely to develop laryngeal cancer, possibly because men are likely to smoke and drink alcohol with greater frequency than are women. However, the difference in the number of laryngeal cancers between men and women is getting smaller, possibly because the number of women who smoke has increased in recent years.
In addition to gender, there are other common risk factors of laryngeal cancer. These include:
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Alcohol abuse
- Poor nutrition and vitamin deficiencies
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
- High doses of radiation therapy, particularly in the head or neck region
- Exposure to asbestos or certain industrial chemicals
- Aging (being 65 years or older)
Smoking and heavy drinking combined dramatically increase a person's risk of developing head and neck cancer. Alcohol abuse may also be related to certain vitamin deficiencies. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly foods high in vitamin B and vitamin A, may reduce the risk of certain cancers.
Secondary Risk Factors for Laryngeal Cancer
As with many types of cancer, the risk of developing cancer may be increased by certain lifestyle behaviors and environmental factors, such as smoking and exposure to carcinogens. Certain conditions, like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), may increase the chance of head and neck cancers, but may not be considered a primary risk factor for laryngeal cancers.
Sometimes, the risk of developing another type of head and neck cancer may increase your risk of laryngeal cancer. Some of these secondary risk factors are:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) - This condition may cause heartburn (acid reflux), causing damage to the lining of the esophagus.
- Chewing betel quid - Chewing betel leaves wrapped around areca nuts is common in some parts of Asia and may pose an increased risk for oral or esophageal cancers.
- The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) - This virus is known for causing "mono" in young adults and may be associated with the development of certain cancers, including nasopharyngeal cancer.
- Plummer-Vinson syndrome - This rare condition characterized by dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), anemia and esophageal webs, may be linked to an increased risk of esophageal cancers.
Hereditary Factors
Two particular inherited genetic syndromes, Fanconi anemia and Dyskeratosis congenita, may greatly increase the likelihood of developing throat cancers.
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 doesn’t mean that you will not get cancer. If you think you may be at risk, you should discuss it with your doctor.
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