EPIDEMIOLOGY OF UPPER AERODIGESTIVE CANCERS AMONG ARMED FORCES PERSONNEL AND THEIR FAMILIES.

Cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, and esophagus are now suspected to have common etiologic factors and have been grouped together as "upper aerodigestive" cancers. Since this grouping is of relatively recent origin there have been no epidemiological studies on this group among Armed Forces personnel. 114 cases of upper aerodigestive cancers and an equal number of controls were studied. The largest number of cases were in the age group of 40-49 years with male preponderance. Lower level of education, smoking, quid chewing, and alcohol use were found to be the major risk factors for these cancers. A dose response relationship was observed for smoking, quid chewing and alcohol intake.