Systematic screening for occupations and occupational exposures in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients

Abstract

Purpose

The importance of occupational exposures in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) has received little attention.

Methods

In a single-center study, we prospectively characterized occupational exposures in 154 HNSCC cancer patients in a systematic occupational consultation and examined the association between most frequent exposures, HNSCC stage and localization.

Results

Patients occupied a mean of 3.3 different positions during their working life. The prevalence of asbestos, the most frequent exposure (46 patients; 29.9%) was higher than in the French population > 50 years. Other frequent exposures were solvents (n = 26; 16.9%) and silica (n = 19; 12.3%). For 37 patients (24%) a possible link was identified between occupational exposures and HNSCC. Duration of asbestos exposure was significantly higher (p = 0.04) in patients with hypopharyngeal and laryngeal cancer compared to other localizations.

Conclusions

Occupational exposures are frequent in patients with HNSCC and should receive increased attention by physicians.

http://bit.ly/2R8s3R8