Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancer Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention

Scientists believe that tobacco use and/or heavy alcohol use increases the risk of developing these cancers by damaging the DNA of cells that line the inside of the throat. 

When the cells are damaged, they divide more often and make more copies of themselves. This increases the chance that mistakes will happen as the DNA is copied. These mistakes can cause certain genes to not work well, including genes in charge of starting or stopping cell growth. Abnormal cells can begin to grow out of control, forming a tumor.

Tobacco use

Many of the chemicals found in tobacco can damage DNA directly. Smoke from cigarettes, pipes, and cigars increases your risk of head and neck cancer. 

Alcohol use

Scientists are not sure if alcohol directly damages DNA. But they do know that alcohol helps many DNA-damaging chemicals get into cells more easily. People who drink moderate to heavy amounts of alcohol have a higher risk than people who drink light amounts.

Smoking and drinking alcohol together

Smoking and drinking alcohol together multiplies the risk of head and neck cancers. The risk of these cancers in people who drink and smoke heavily is about 30 times higher than the risk in people who don’t smoke or drink.

Cancers of the larynx and hypopharynx are about 5 times more common in men than women.

This is probably because in the past, men were more likely to smoke and heavily use alcohol. Smoking and heavy alcohol use are the main risk factors for these cancers. In recent years, these habits have become more common among women. Their risk for these cancers has increased along with these habits.

Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers usually develop over many years, so they are not common in young people. Over half of people with these cancers are 65 or older when the cancers are first found.

Several studies have found that a diet low in fruits and vegetables is linked with an increased risk of cancers of the larynx and hypopharynx. Eating more plant-based foods, such as non-starchy vegetables and whole fruit, might help people reduce their risk of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer from poor nutrition.

Gene changes that lead to cancer can be either:

• Inherited from a parent, or
• Acquired during your lifetime

Inherited gene changes may play a role in some laryngeal cancers, but this is not common.

Most laryngeal cancers are driven by gene changes that happen during a person’s lifetime (acquired gene changes). These changes most commonly happen because of long-term exposure to carcinogens like tobacco smoke.

People with this syndrome typically have poor nutrition because rings of thin tissue (also called webs) in their esophagus make it hard to swallow. They often have anemia from low iron levels. This syndrome puts people at risk of esophageal and hypopharyngeal cancers.

People with syndromes caused by inherited changes in certain genes have a very high risk of throat cancer, including hypopharyngeal cancer.

Fanconi anemia

People with this syndrome often have blood problems at an early age. This may lead to leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome. They also have a very high risk of cancers of the mouth and throat, including laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers.

Dyskeratosis congenita

This is a 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 head and neck cancers at a young age, especially cancers of the mouth and throat.

Wood dust, paint fumes, and workplace chemicals

Long and intense exposures to wood dust, paint fumes, and certain chemicals used in the metalworking, petroleum, construction, and textile industries can increase the risk of laryngeal and some hypopharyngeal cancers.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was often used as an insulating material in many products in the past. Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma (cancer that starts in the lining of the chest or abdomen). Some studies have suggested a link between asbestos exposure and laryngeal cancer, but not all studies agree.

Acid from the stomach can back up into the esophagus. When this happens, it's called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

GERD can cause heartburn and increase the chance of cancer of the esophagus. It is also thought to raise the risk of hypopharyngeal cancer, but more studies are being done on this.