McCoy G D, Wynder E L
Cancer Res. 1979 Jul;39(7 Pt 2):2844-50.
The current state of knowledge of the epidemiological association of alcohol and tobacco consumption with cancers of the head and neck in humans is reviewed. The possible involvement of alcohol-associated nutritional deficiencies in the etiology of head and neck cancer is considered. Data are presented which indicate that in vitro metabolism of the hepatocarcinogen N-nitrosopyrrolidine is increased in microsomal fractions isolated from ethanol-consuming hamsters. Relevant studies in experimental animals are discussed in the context of possible mechanisms that could account for the increased risk of cancer in heavy drinkers who smoke.
