Role of medical history and medication use in the aetiology of upper aerodigestive tract cancers in Europe: the ARCAGE study

Macfarlane, T.V. et al. (2012) Role of medical history and medication use in the aetiology of upper aerodigestive tract cancers in Europe: the ARCAGE study. Annals of Oncology, 23(4), pp. 1053-1060. (doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdr335)

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> The study aimed to investigate the role of medical history (skin warts, Candida albicans, herpetic lesions, heartburn, regurgitation) and medication use (for heartburn; for regurgitation; aspirin) in the aetiology of upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancer. Methods: A multicentre (10 European countries) case–control study [Alcohol-Related CAncers and GEnetic susceptibility (ARCAGE) project].<p></p> <b>Results:</b> There were 1779 cases of UADT cancer and 1993 controls. History of warts or C. albicans infection was associated with a reduced risk [odds ratio (OR) 0.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68–0.94 and OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.60–0.89, respectively] but there was no association with herpetic lesions, heartburn, regurgitation or medication for related symptoms. Regurgitation was associated with an increased risk for cancer of the oesophagus (OR 1.47, 95% CI 0.98–2.21). Regular aspirin use was not associated with risk of UADT cancer overall but was associated with a reduced risk for cancer of oesophagus (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.28–0.96), hypopharynx (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.28–1.02) and larynx (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.54–1.01).<p></p> <b>Conclusions:</b> A history of some infections appears to be a marker for decreased risk of UADT cancer. The role of medical history and medication use varied by UADT subsites with aspirin use associated with a decreased risk of oesophageal cancer and suggestive of a decreased risk of hypopharyngeal and laryngeal cancers.<p></p>

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Conway, Professor David
• Authors: Macfarlane, T.V., Macfarlane, G.J., Thakker, N.S., Benhamou, S., Bouchardy, C., Ahrens, W., Pohlabeln, H., Lagiou, P., Lagiou, A., Castellsague, X., Agudo, A., Slamova, A., Plzak, J., Merletti, F., Richiardi, L., Talamini, R., Barzan, L., Kjaerheim, K., Canova, C., Simonato, L., Conway, D.I., McKinney, P.A., Thomson, P., Sloan, P., Znaor, A., Healy, C.M., McCartan, B.E., Marron, M., and Brennan, P.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Dental School
• Journal Name: Annals of Oncology
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISSN: 0923-7534
• ISSN (Online): 1569-8041
• Published Online: 09 August 2011

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