Etiological and preventive implications in alcohol carcinogenesis.

The current state of knowledge of the epidemiological association of alcohol and tobacco consumption with cancers of the head and neck in humans is reviewed. The possible involvement of alcohol-associated nutritional deficiencies in the etiology of head and neck cancer is considered. Data are presented which indicate that in vitro metabolism of the hepatocarcinogen N-nitrosopyrrolidine is increased in microsomal fractions isolated from ethanol-consuming hamsters. Relevant studies in experimental animals are discussed in the context of possible mechanisms that could account for the increased risk of cancer in heavy drinkers who smoke.