The role of Helicobacter pylori infection in the cause of squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.
OBJECTIVE
Helicobacter pylori can cause chronic infection that has been linked to the development of both benign and malignant disease of the aerodigestive tract. The purpose of this study was to determine the link between H pylori infection and squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx (SCCL).


METHODS
We estimated the presence of IgG antibodies against H pylori antigens by using ELISA technique in the sera of 26 patients with SCCL and 32 matched controls without carcinoma of the larynx.


RESULTS
The incidence of seropositivity of patients with SCCL was 73.07% and of controls was 40.62%. These data support an etiologic role for H pylori infection on development of SCCL (chi(2) = 4.85, P< 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
H pylori infection of the upper aerodigestive tract might result in mucosal disruption, allowing for subsequent transformation by known carcinogens such as tobacco and alcohol.
Aygenc
E
E
Ankara Numune Hospital, 2nd Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Department, Izmir, Turkey. eaygenc@turk.net
Selcuk
A
A
Celikkanat
S
S
Ozbek
C
C
Ozdem
C
C
D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000382:microbiology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies