A CASE CONTROL STUDY OF RISK-FACTORS FOR MAJOR SALIVARY-GLAND CANCER/

BACKGROUND: Salivary gland cancer (SGC) is a rare disease with a large ly unknown origin. Because cancer of the tongue and mouth floor is cau sed primarily by smoking and alcohol consumption, we investigated the role of tobacco, alcohol, and other possible risk factors in the devel opment of SGC in a hospital-based study. METHODS: interviews were obta ined from 128 patients with newly diagnosed histologically confirmed S GC and from 114 age- and gender-matched controls by rising a structure d questionnaire. All patients were interviewed at bedside by a trained interviewer. RESULTS: No differences in levels of education were foun d between the two groups. Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption di d not independently or jointly increase the risk of SGC. Chewing tobac co and snuff use were also unrelated factors. The odds ratio for low b ody mass in men was 0.46 (p = 0.05). There was no relation with body m ass in women. An examination of employment history and job-related exp osures revealed no occupational risk factors. CONCLUSION: These findin gs show that smoking, alcohol consumption, and most occupational expos ures are unrelated to SGC.