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Lack of serologic evidence for Helicobacter pylori infection in head and neck cancer
Author(s) -
Grandis Jennifer Rubin,
PerezPerez Guillermo I.,
Yu Victor L.,
Johnson Jonas T.,
Blaser Martin J.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0347(199705)19:3<216::aid-hed9>3.0.co;2-5
Subject(s) - head and neck cancer , helicobacter pylori , medicine , serology , cancer , saliva , antibody , stomach , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , gastroenterology , pathology , immunology
Background Several epidemiologic investigations have established a link between Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric malignancies. Because the stomach is in continuity with the oral cavity and the bacterium has been isolated from dental plaque and saliva, we hypothesized that H. pylori infection of the upper aerodigestive tract might result in mucosal disruption, allowing for subsequent transformation by known carcinogens such as tobacco and alcohol. Methods To test this hypothesis, we assayed for the presence of IgG antibodies to H. pylori in the serum of 21 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) and 21 matched controls without a history of head and neck cancer. Results The incidence of seropositivity in the SCCHN patients was 57% and in the controls, 62% ( p > 0.05). Conclusions These data do not support an etiologic role for H. pylori infection in head and neck cancer. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 19: 216–218, 1997.