A risk factor is anything that affects your chance of getting a disease such as 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 not have had any 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 have many of the same risk factors, many of which are included below.

Tobacco and alcohol

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. These cancers are rare in people who have never smoked. 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. Chewing tobacco also increases the risk of mouth (oral cavity) cancer.

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. Some reports have found that people who smoke and drink are up to 100 times more likely to get head and neck cancer than are people with neither habit.

Nutrition

Poor nutrition may increase the risk of getting head and neck cancer. Poor nutrition and vitamin deficiencies often occur in those who abuse alcohol and may be partly responsible for alcohol's role in increased risk of these cancers. Not eating enough foods with B vitamins and vitamin A retinoids may play a role.

Human papilloma virus

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 head and neck cancer as well.

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 bone marrow and organ transplant).

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. These blood problems often lead to leukemia or aplastic anemia. They also have a high risk of cancer of the mouth and throat -- up to 500 times the risk of healthy people the same age.

Dyskeratosis congenita is another genetic syndrome that can cause aplastic anemia. 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 for insulation in the past. It is an important risk factor for 2 types of lung cancer called mesothelioma and bronchogenic carcinoma. Some studies have linked asbestos exposure to laryngeal cancer, but others have not shown an increased risk.

Gender

Cancers of the larynx and hypopharynx are about 4 times more common in men than women. This is because the 2 main risk factors -- smoking and alcohol abuse -- 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 comes up into the esophagus it is called gastroesophageal reflux disease (or GERD). GERD can cause heartburn and increase the chance of cancer of the esophagus. Whether or not it increases the risk of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers is currently under study.

Last Medical Review: 05/07/2009
Last Revised: 05/07/2009