Association between γ-Glutamyltransferase and Head and Neck Cancer in Korean Population: A National Population-Based Study.

Abstract

Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is positively associated with several cancer types. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between GGT and head and neck cancer (HNC) incidence in a cohort of 10 million people, considering effects of smoking and alcohol consumption. All data used in this study were obtained from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. We analyzed subjects who underwent health check-ups in 2009 and monitored them until 2018 (n = 9,597,952). Using proportional hazards models, quartiles of GGT as independent predictors for HNC incidence were evaluated. The overall incidence of HNC increased in the highest quartile [r-GPT ≥ 40 U/L; HR, 1.452; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.354-1.557]. Among HNC cases, the HR for hypopharyngeal cancer (HR, 2.364; 95% CI, 1.818-3.074) was significantly higher. HRs for HNC (larynx, sino-nasal, oropharynx, oral cavity, and nasopharynx, except salivary glands) were also significant. Elevated GGT was associated with the risk of some types of HNCs, such as hypopharyngeal, laryngeal, sinonasal, oropharyngeal, oral cavity, and nasopharyngeal cancer. Results of this study have implications for etiologic investigations and preventive strategies.