Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026

Learning Modern Laryngeal Surgery in a Dissection Laboratory
Published on: March 18, 2020
Occupational exposures and cancer of the larynx-systematic review and meta-analysis
Sophie Paget-Bailly1, Diane Cyr, Danièle Luce
1Inserm, Center for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, UMRS 1018, Occupational and Environmental Determinants of Health; and Versailles Saint-Quentin University, UMRS 1018, Villejuif, France.
Objective:
To review epidemiologic data on occupational exposures and laryngeal cancer.
Methods:
We performed a systematic literature search and a series of meta-analyses for agents with at least 10 available studies with homogenous exposure.
Results:
We analyzed 99 publications. Significantly increased meta-relative risks (meta-RRs) were obtained considering exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (meta-RR 1.29; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10 to 1.52), engine exhaust (meta-RR 1.17; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.30), textile dust (meta-RR 1.41; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.83), and working in the rubber industry (meta-RR 1.39; 95% CI 1.13 to 1.71). Exposures to wood dust, formaldehyde, and cement dust were not significantly associated with laryngeal cancer. In regards of the epidemiologic available data, we could not conclude on the role of solvents.
Conclusion:
Further studies should overcome past limitations in terms of exposure characterization, adjustment for confounding, and sample size.
Related Concept Videos
Larynx
Anatomy of the Larynx
The larynx consists of various components, including cartilage, muscles, and vocal cords. Its structure includes three large unpaired cartilages—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—and three smaller paired cartilages—the arytenoids, corniculates, and...
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Statistical Methods for Analyzing Epidemiological Data
Cancer Prevention
Some...