Marijuana as a potential respiratory tract carcinogen: a retrospective analysis of a community hospital population.
Surgical pathology reports for the last four years were scanned for patients under the age of 40 with the diagnosis of respiratory tract carcinoma. A total of ten patients were identified and subsequently investigated for a history of marijuana use. Among these, seven revealed a history for significant exposure; five were categorized as heavy users and at least two as regular users. In view of these findings and a recent literature sampling, regular marijuana use appears to be an additional significant risk factor for the development of respiratory tract carcinoma.
Taylor
F M
FM
Department of Pathology, St. Joseph's Hospital, Tampa, FL 33677-4227.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012142:Respiratory Tract Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology