What other cancers are associated with cigarette smoking?

---

There is strong epidemiological data supporting an association between smoking and the the development of larynx, oral cavity and sinus cancer, esophageal cancer, bladder and kidney cancer, pancreas cancer, and anal cancer.

Studies also suggest an association between smoking and breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, and stomach cancer, however these associations are not as strong as with the above mentioned cancers.

Aside from the lung, the cancer sites most closely associated with cigarette smoking are all part of the "upper aerodigestive tract". These sites include include the larynx, oral cavity, and esophagus.

About 50-70% of all deaths due to cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract are thought to be the end result of smoking. The risk of developing upper aerodigestive tract cancer is directly related to the duration of cigarette smoking and the number of cigarettes smoked in an average day.

Consumption of alcohol has been shown to exert a synergistic effect on the risk of cancer in these sites. Individuals who smoke and drink have up to a 40 times higher risk of developing upper aerodigestive tract cancer.

The high risk for the development of upper aerodigestive tract cancers is significantly reduced after smoking cessation. This reduction begins following the first year after smoking cessation and continues to fall until about 10-16 years following smoking cessation, when the risk for cancer is similar to that of the nonsmoking population.

Joshua Ellenhorn MD
City of Hope National Medical Center