title: Etiological and preventive implications in alcohol carcinogenesis.
abstract: The current state of knowledge of the epidemiological association of alcohol and tobacco consumption with cancers of the head and neck in humans is reviewed. The possible involvement of alcohol-associated nutritional deficiencies in the etiology of head and neck cancer is considered. Data are presented which indicate that in vitro metabolism of the hepatocarcinogen N-nitrosopyrrolidine is increased in microsomal fractions isolated from ethanol-consuming hamsters. Relevant studies in experimental animals are discussed in the context of possible mechanisms that could account for the increased risk of cancer in heavy drinkers who smoke.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000378:metabolism; D003043:Cocarcinogenesis; D006224:Cricetinae; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications; D051381:Rats; D012907:Smoking / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens