Hypopharyngeal cancer risk factors

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Faizan Sheraz, M.D. [2]

Overview

Common risk factors in the development of hypopharyngeal cancer are smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, heavy alcohol consumption, and Plummer-Vinson syndrome.

Risk Factors

Common risk factors for the development of hypopharyngeal cancer include:

• Smoking tobacco
• Chewing tobacco
• Heavy alcohol consumption
• Diet without essential nutrients
• Plummer-Vinson syndrome
• HPV infection
• Areca nut and betel quid chewing habit
• Occupational exposures of substances such as:

• Organic solvents
• Coal dust
• Cement dust

Causes	Description
Smoking	Mutations may change a normal DNA sequence to an oncogene, which is a gene that causes cancer after exposure to a carcinogen. Squamous cells, a type of cell that lines hollow organs like the throat, mouth, lungs, and outer layer of skin, are particularly vulnerable when exposed to cigarette smoke.
Chewing tobacco	The chewing tobacco is placed into the mouth, leaving it exposed to enzymes, like amylase, which partly digests the carcinogenic material. Saliva is swallowed, along with the cancer-promoting material, which passes through the hypopharynx on its way to the esophagus.
Heavy alcohol consumption	Heavy alcohol consumption is linked to hypopharyngeal cancer as well. Alcohol damages the lining of the hypopharynx, increasing the amount of chemicals that are allowed to seep into the underlying membranes. Heavy alcohol use is also associated with nutritional deficiencies.
Plummer-Vinson syndrome	A genetic disorder that causes a long-term iron deficiency, may also lead to hypopharyngeal cancer. Other factors like a deficiency in certain vitamins also appear to contribute to this type of cancer.