[Hypopharyngeal cancer in the Northern region and Pas-de-Calais. Epidemiological factors]

Authors report results of two epidemiological studies concerning hypopharynx cancer. The first one is a part of the head and neck cancer registry of Northern France from 1984 to 1987. Hypopharynx tumors represent 18% of the 6019 registered tumors, 99% are squamous cell carcinoma; the annual european standardized incidence rate is 17.0 per 100,000 males and 0.5 per 100,000 females. The second one is a prospective study of 339 hypopharynx cancer patients: 1 out of 3 lives alone and 1 out 3 works at the moment of diagnosis. The average daily tobacco and alcohol consumption are 24 g and 128 g respectively, without any difference regarding professional exposures.