To determine the role of reflux esophagitis in the development of pharyngolaryngeal squamous cell carcinoma in non-smoking and non-drinking patients.
Methods
The study population consisted of 92 consecutive non-smoking and non-drinking patients with histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the pharynx and the larynx. As a control, a group of 125 lifetime non-smoking and non-drinking cancer-free subjects was selected.
Results
Patients with pharyngolaryngeal cancer had a higher prevalence of reflux esophagitis than the control subjects (P <0.0001).
Conclusions
Our results confirm that reflux esophagitis in itself is associated with an increased risk of upper aerodigestive tract cancer.
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