Tobacco consumption and oral and pharyngeal cancer in a Spanish male population

The incidence of oral and pharyngeal cancer in Spain is among the highest in Europe. A hospital-based case-control study was carried out in NW Spain to investigate the role of tobacco. The study included 92 incident male cases and 230 male controls. Tobacco smoking was strongly associated with oral and pharyngeal cancer (ORever smokers = 27.7). The risk for black tobacco (OR = 33.1) was approximately double that of blond tobacco (OR = 15.4). Alcohol drinking increased the risk posed by tobacco consumption. Risks were significantly lower for subjects that started smoking later and was significantly reduced after 10 years of leaving the habit.