The Laryngoscope

Our medical research library holds 5 studies published in The Laryngoscope (1978–2017). Each entry links to the study's record on PubMed and, where there is one, to the publisher's page and a free full text. 4 have an abstract, the authors' own summary as PubMed records it: open "Abstract" to read it.

About the journal

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Published: 1896 to the present, United States
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0023-852X (print), 1531-4995 (electronic)
• Its record in the NLM Catalog

2010s

• In reference to Asbestos exposure and laryngeal cancer mortality. M.M. Finkelstein. 2017;127(3):E114. Comment PubMed · Publisher

• Asbestos exposure and laryngeal cancer mortality. W.J. Peng, J. Mi, Y.H. Jiang. 2016;126(5):1169-74. Meta-analysis · Systematic review PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  Objectives/Hypothesis: Occupational exposure to asbestos occurs in many workplaces and is well known to cause asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. However, the link between asbestos exposure and other malignancies was not confirmed. The aim of the current meta-analysis was to provide a summary measure of risk for laryngeal cancer associated with occupational asbestos exposure.

  Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

  Methods: Electronic databases were searched for studies characterizing the association between asbestos and laryngeal cancer. Standardized mortality rate (SMR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) of each study was combined using a fixed or random effect model.

  Results: Significantly increased SMR for laryngeal cancer was observed when subjects were exposed to asbestos (SMR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.45-1.97, P < .001), with little evidence of heterogeneity among studies (Q = 15.39, P = .803, I(2) = 0.0%). Effect estimates were larger for cohorts controlling for male subjects, Europe and Oceania, mining and textile industries, exposure to crocidolite, long study follow-up (>25 years), and SMR for lung cancer > 2.0. Publication bias was not detect by Begg test (P = .910) and Egger test (P = .340).

  Conclusions: Our study supports the association of exposure to asbestos with an increased risk of laryngeal cancer mortality among male workers.

  Level Of Evidence: NA Laryngoscope, 126:1169-1174, 2016.

  © 2015 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

• Testimony by otolaryngologists in defense of tobacco companies 2009-2014. R.K. Jackler. 2015;125(12):2722-9. PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  Objectives/Hypothesis: To examine expert testimony offered by otolaryngologists in defense of the tobacco industry and to assess whether opinions rendered were congruent with evidence in the scientific literature.

  Methods: Data sources include publically available expert witness depositions and trial testimony of board-certified otolaryngologists employed by the tobacco industry in defense of lawsuits brought by smokers suffering from head and neck cancer. The cases, adjudicated in Florida between 2009 and 2014, focused on whether smoking caused the plaintiff's cancer.

  Results: The study includes nine legal cases of upper aerodigestive tract cancer involving six otolaryngologists serving as expert witnesses for the tobacco industry. Cancer sites included larynx (5), esophagus (2), mouth (1), and lung (1). Five of the six otolaryngologists consistently, over multiple cases, offered opinions that smoking did not cause the plaintiff's cancer. By highlighting an exhaustive list of potential risk factors, such as human papillomavirus (HPV), alcohol, asbestos, diesel fumes, salted fish, mouthwash, and even urban living, they created doubt in the minds of the jurors as to the role of smoking in the plaintiff's cancer. Evidence shows that this testimony, which was remarkably similar across cases, was part of a defense strategy shaped by tobacco's law firms.

  Conclusions: A small group of otolaryngologists regularly serve as experts on behalf of the tobacco industry. Examination of their opinions in relation to the scientific literature reveals a systematic bias in interpreting the data relating to the role played by smoking in head and neck cancer causation.

  Level Of Evidence: N/A.

  Laryngoscope published by Wiley on behalf of the American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc, “The Triological Society” and American Laryngological Association (the “Owner”).

1990s

• Asbestos and cancer of the larynx: is there a relationship?. S.M. Parnes. 1990;100(3):254-61. Review PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  A head and neck examination was conducted on 322 personnel in a plant that manufactures brake linings and disks where asbestos is a major component. The personnel were categorized according to occupational risk, duration of employment, and smoking and alcohol habits. Thirty-nine percent had abnormalities, the most common being laryngitis (15%), deviated nasal septum (13%), and neck mass (5.3%). Six members required a biopsy, but no cancer was discovered. Of 47 personnel with laryngitis, 46 were smokers (P less than .01). In regard to asbestos exposure, 20% of the high-risk group had laryngitis, compared to 11% in the low-risk group (P less than .05). The data were compared to a previously prepared longitudinal study of plant personnel (2057 individuals and 37,361.5 person years), where three cases of laryngeal cancer had been observed (0.77 expected). As these cases involved smokers with limited asbestos exposure, neither the longitudinal or cross-sectional data could support asbestos as an etiologic factor for laryngeal cancer, but it may act as an irritant.

1970s

• Epidemiology of head and neck cancer. K.J. Rothman. 1978;88(3):435-8. PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  The epidemiology of head and neck cancer can be accounted for largely in terms of known carcinogens introduced into the body through the mouth. Though there are many environmental exposures--such as asbestos, radon, nickel and arsenic--which have strong carcinogenic effects, most of these have only a small impact on the general population because exposure is limited, usually to small occupational groups. Two prevalent exposures, however, tobacco and alcohol, are strong risk factors for nearly all sites in the head and neck, and together account for about 80%-90% of all cancers of the head and neck. There is evidence for biologic interaction between some occupational exposures and cigarette smoking for cancer of the lung, and tobacco and alcohol for cancer of the mouth. Based on this evidence for biologic interaction and the prevalence of smoking, it seems likely that tobacco is related to about 80% of all cancers of the head and neck in the United States.

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