Risk factors for cancer nasopharynx: A case-control study from Nagaland, India

Background, A high incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma has been reported from Nagaland, though it is considered to be a rare neoplasm in India. No c ase-control study to identify the risk factors of cancer nasopharynx has be en conducted in this region. This study was undertaken to identify dietary and environmental risk factors for nasopharyngeal carcinoma relevant to thi s region. Methods. A matched case-control study using neighbourhood controls was cond ucted. For each of the 47 cases identified, 2 apparently healthy neighbourh ood controls were matched for age, sex and ethnicity. All information on di etary, environmental, social and demographic factors was collected. Univari ate and multivariate logistic regression analysis using maximum likelihood method was used to analyse data. Results. Consumption of smoked meat was found to be the risk factor for nas opharyngeal carcinoma (adjusted odds ratio = 10.8; 95% CI 3.0-39.0). Histor y of using herbal nasal medicine was also found to be associated with nasop haryngeal carcinoma (OR=21.9, CI = 6.8-71.4). However, exposure to a smoky atmosphere, betel-nut chewing, use of smokeless tobacco products, smoking a nd drinking habits were not found to be associated with nasopharyngeal carc inoma. Conclusion. This study reveals an association of nasopharyngeal carcinoma w ith consumption of smoked meat in Nagaland, The use of herbal nasal medicin e seems to be an additional risk factor for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Nag aland and needs further assessment.