Squamous Cell Carcinoma of The Upper Aerodigestive Tract in Exclusive Smokers, Chewers, and Those with No Habits

BACKGROUND: Tobacco consumption is the major risk factor for developing head and neck squamous cell cancer (SCC). The site of development of HNSCC may depend on the way the tobacco is consumed. While laryngeal cancers are more common among smokers, oral cancers are more common among tobacco chewers.

Since the use of smokeless tobacco is increasing, it is important to know whether this difference is restricted only to site-wise distribution or whether it has other clinical and pathological implications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed a prospectively collected dataset of HNSCC patients other than nasopharyngeal cancer attending our outpatient department at a single unit of the head and neck services atTata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India, between January 2010 and September 2011. There were 747 eligible patients and were divided into three groups: Those with chewing as the only habit…