Diabetes mellitus, metformin and head and neck cancer

Head and neck cancer (HNC) includes tumours of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx. Nasopharyngeal cancer is also a HNC sub-site but is usually considered a separate disease with a distinct aetiology and particular characteristics [1]. Approximately 600,000 cases of HNC are diagnosed each year, and HNC accounts for 4% of cancer mortality worldwide [2]. More than 90% of HNC are squamous cell carcinoma [3]. The main risk factors associated with HNC are smoking and alcohol consumption, and the interaction between these factors can increase the risk of HNC [4].

Source: Oral Oncology - August 29, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Rejane Augusta de Oliveira Figueiredo, Elisabete Weiderpass, Eloiza Helena Tajara, Peter Str öm, André Lopes Carvalho, Marcos Brasilino de Carvalho, Jossi Ledo Kanda, Raquel Ajub Moyses, Victor Wünsch-Filho Source Type: research