Epidemiology of laryngeal cancer: results of the Heidelberg case-control study.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx is a multifactorial disease which predominantly is found in males aged 50-70 years. Chronic consumption of alcohol and tobacco independently increase the relative risk of this type of cancer in a dose-dependent manner. Low educational standards and occupational training are associated with high risk. The majority of the cancer patients are blue collar workers who are exposed to a variety of hazardous working materials like polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons, cement dust, metal dusts, asbestos, varnish, lacquer, etc. Environmental exposure to airborne carcinogens like fossil fuel single stove emissions may increase the relative risk of laryngeal cancer. The regular consumption of fruit, salad and dairy products which contain considerable amounts of tumor protective micronutrients may decrease the risk of laryngeal cancer.