Epidemiological study on the association between tobacco chewing and cigarette smoking in head and neck cancer patients, India

Abstract

Background: Tobacco consumption, including smoking and chewing, is a significant risk factor for head and neck cancer in India. This study aims to examine the correlation between tobacco use and the causation of cancer among oral cancer patients. Methods: We used the hospital-based cancer registry database at Savera cancer and multispeciality hospital in Patna. This is a retrospective analysis of head and neck cancer patients. The study was conducted from January 2019 to December 2022, involving patients aged 18-75 years. Histopathology Confirmed cases (n=691) of head and neck cancer were categorized into four groups: Only smoking tobacco (N=286), Only chewing tobacco (N=243), Smoking and chewing tobacco (N=139) and non-smoking and non-chewing (N=23), and examined. Results: Among the random cases examined (n=691), the distribution was as follows: only smoking tobacco - 286 (41.4.0%), only chewing tobacco 243 (35.2%), Smoking and Chewing Tobacco 139 (20.1%), and non-smoking and non-chewing tobacco 23 (3.3%). Statistical analysis revealed a significant (p<0.005) association between tobacco consumption and oral cancer incidence. Conclusions: Long-term exposure to chewing/non-chewing tobacco appears to play an important role in the development of head and neck cancer. There is an urgent need for preventive measures, including targeted interventions and public health campaigns, to mitigate the burden of cancer associated with it.