Occupational risk factors for cancer of the larynx in Spain.

Spain is one of the countries with the highest incidence of laryngeal cancer and, together with France, is the country with the lowest percentage of women with this disease. In order to identify the occupational risk factors associated with laryngeal cancer in this country a case-control study was performed. Cases included 85 patients with epidermoid carcinoma of the larynx diagnosed in "La Paz" Hospital, Madrid, between 1985 and 1987. A sample of 170 patients from the same hospital was used as control. The results of the study revealed that 56.5% of larynx cancer patients had a sedentary occupation working in the service sector. Exposure to insecticides or silica were strongest risk factors for laryngeal cancer. An association between laryngeal cancer and exposure to fumes, chemical products, mineral dust, or wood dust was not found.