Oral cancer after using Swedish snus (smokeless tobacco) for 70 years - a case report.
Whereas the smoking habit has declined significantly in Sweden in recent decades, there has been a marked increase in the consumption of 'snus' (oral moist snuff). The use of this smokeless tobacco, exposing the user locally to carcinogenic nitrosamines, raises the question - will the increasing use of snuff eventually lead to a greater incidence of oral cancer? We report the case of a 90-year-old man who developed a localized squamous cell carcinoma in the gingival fold under the upper lip, at the exact place where he had regularly placed loose oral snuff for 70 years. Although this is a reminder of a prevailing cancer risk, the time frame indicates that the risk is slight. This is consistent with recent epidemiological reports regarding the minor risk of snuff-associated cancer in the Scandinavian countries.
Dept of Surgical Sciences, Oto-rhino-laryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. ulf.zatterstrom@ent.uas.lul.se
U K
UK
Zatterstrom
M
M
Svensson
L
L
Sand
H
H
Nordgren
J M
JM
Hirsch
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000009:adverse effects; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000209:etiology*; D005887:Gingival Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008048:Lip Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D009602:Nitrosamines / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D013548:Sweden; D014030:Tobacco, Smokeless / Q000009:adverse effects*
D002273:Carcinogens; D009602:Nitrosamines