A risk factor is anything that affects your chance of getting a disease like cancer. Different cancers have different risk factors. For example, smoking is a risk factor for many cancers including cancer of the lung. Exposing skin to strong sunlight is a risk factor for skin cancer.
But risk factors don't tell us everything. Having a risk factor, or even several risk factors, does not mean that you will get the disease. And many people who get the disease may have few or no known risk factors.
Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers are often grouped together with other cancers of the mouth and throat into a group known as head and neck cancers. These cancers often have many of the same risk factors, some of which are included below.
Tobacco and heavy alcohol use
Tobacco use is the most important risk factor for head and neck cancers (including cancers of the larynx and hypopharynx). The risk of developing cancer in these areas is much higher in smokers than in nonsmokers. Most people with these cancers have a history of smoking or other tobacco exposure. The more you smoke, the greater the risk. Smoke from cigarettes, pipes, and cigars all increase the chance of getting these cancers.
Some studies have also found that long-term exposure to secondhand smoke may increase the risk of these cancers, but more research is needed to confirm this finding.
Drinking alcohol also increases the risk of these cancers. Heavy drinkers have a risk that is several times that of nondrinkers.
People who use both tobacco and alcohol have the highest risk of all. Combining these 2 habits doesn't just add both risks together, it actually multiplies them. People who smoke and drink are many times more likely to get head and neck cancer than are people with neither habit.
Poor nutrition
Poor nutrition may increase the risk of getting head and neck cancer. Vitamin deficiencies often occur in those who abuse alcohol and may be partly responsible for alcohol's role in increased risk of these cancers.
Human papilloma virus infection
The human papilloma virus (HPV) is a group of over 100 related viruses. They are called papilloma viruses because some of them cause a type of growth called a papilloma, which is more commonly known as a wart. Some types of HPV can cause cancers of the cervix, vagina, anus, vulva, or penis. HPV also seems to be a factor in some cases of throat cancer, such as cancer of the tonsils and cancers of the hypopharynx. It does not seem to be a factor in laryngeal cancer.
Weakened immune system
Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers are more common in people who have a weak immune system. A weak immune system can be caused by certain diseases present at birth, the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and certain medicines (such as those given after organ transplants).
Genetic syndromes
People with certain syndromes caused by inherited defects (mutations) in certain genes have a very high risk of throat cancer, including cancer of the hypopharynx.
Fanconi anemia is a condition that can be caused by inherited defects in several genes. People with this syndrome often have blood problems at an early age, which may lead to leukemia or aplastic anemia. They also have a very high risk of cancer of the mouth and throat.
Dyskeratosis congenita is another genetic syndrome that can cause aplastic anemia, skin rashes, and abnormal fingernails and toenails. People with this syndrome have a very high risk of developing cancer of the mouth and throat at an early age.
More information about Fanconi anemia and dyskeratosis congenita can be found in our document, Aplastic Anemia.
Workplace exposures
Long and intense exposures to wood dust, paint fumes, and certain chemicals used in the metalworking, petroleum, plastics, and textile industries can also increase the risk of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers.
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was often used as an insulating material in many products in the past. Exposure to asbestos is an important risk factor for lung cancer and mesothelioma (cancer that starts in the lining of the chest or abdomen). Some studies have also linked asbestos exposure to laryngeal cancer.
Gender
Cancers of the larynx and hypopharynx are about 4 times more common in men than women. This is likely because the main risk factors — smoking and heavy alcohol use — are more common in men. In recent years, however, as these habits have become more common among women, their risks for these cancers have increased as well.
Age
Cancers of the larynx and hypopharynx usually take many years to develop, so they are not common in young people. Over half of patients with these cancers are older than 65 when the cancers are first found.
Race
Cancers of the larynx and hypopharynx are more common among African Americans and whites than among Asians and Latinos.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
When acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus it is called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD can cause heartburn and increase the chance of cancer of the esophagus. It is not clear if it increases the risk of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers. This is now being studied.
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