title: Effect of subclinical lead intoxication on laryngeal cancer.
abstract: In this study we investigated the possible relationship of laryngeal cancer and subclinical lead intoxication, using the depression of aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity in blood as indicator. Twenty-six patients with laryngeal cancer and 53 normal controls met the criteria to enter the study. Blood ALAD activity values in the patients with laryngeal cancer ranged from 27.1 to 75.3 U/l with a mean of 50.79 U/l. The respective values in the control group ranged from 36.2 to 98 U/l with a mean of 59.76 U/l. There was a statistically significant difference between the two means (0.001 < p < 0.01), whereas blood lead concentrations in all patients were within normal limits. These findings support the hypothesis that low level lead intoxication (subclinical blood lead levels), from cars, industries and products, may contribute to the risk of laryngeal cancer. Further investigation is needed to clarify the exact relationship between lead and cancer of the larynx.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Athens, Hippocration General Hospital, Greece.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Kandiloris
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Goletsos
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Nikolopoulos
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Ferekidis
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Tsomis
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Adamopoulos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000201:enzymology*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000201:enzymology*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000623:Porphobilinogen Synthase / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D000623:Porphobilinogen Synthase