Role of genetic factors in the etiology of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the role of genetic predisposition in the etiology of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
The outpatient clinics of the departments of otorhinolaryngology and maxillofacial surgery.


METHODS
First-degree relatives of patients with new head and neck cancer, with first-degree relatives of the patients' spouses as controls.


METHODS
Occurrence of cancer of the respiratory and upper digestive tract in relatives of patients with head and neck cancer and controls.


RESULTS
First-degree relatives (n = 617) of 105 patients with head and neck cancer had 31 cases of cancer of the respiratory and upper digestive tract vs 10 cases in the control group (n = 618) (relative risk, 3.5; P = .0002). This higher rate of cancer was even larger in siblings (16 vs 2, relative risk, 14.6; P = .0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Genetic predisposition is an important risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
Copper
M P
MP
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Jovanovic
A
A
Nauta
J J
JJ
Braakhuis
B J
BJ
de Vries
N
N
van der Waal
I
I
Snow
G B
GB
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D004067:Digestive System Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012142:Respiratory Tract Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors