Although head and neck carcinoma ranks fifth among cancer types, patient survival rates have not changed significantly over the past years. To determine the risk factors, causes, therapies, and prevention measures for head and neck cancer. Risk factors, causes, therapies, and preventive measures for this disease were searched on databases PUBMED, MEDLINE, and SCIELO. Alcohol and tobacco are still atop risk factors. Other factors may influence the development of head and neck carcinoma. Surgery is the main treatment option, and the addition of radiotherapy following surgery is frequent for patients in the early stages of the disease. Other therapies target specific genetic molecular components connected to tumor development. Disease preventive measures include smoking cessation, limiting alcohol intake, preventing exposure to tobacco smoke and environmental carcinogenic agents, early detection of infection by HPV, maintaining oral health, good eating habits, and managing stress. Additional research is needed for a more thorough understanding of the development of head and neck carcinomas and to shed light on new ways to improve therapeutic approaches and interventions.

Folate metabolism is essential for DNA synthesis and repair. Alterations in genes that participate in folate metabolism can be associated with several types of malignant neoplasms, including thyroid and breast cancer. In the present case-control study, we examined the association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T, rs1801133) and methionine synthase (MTR A2756G, rs1805087) polymorphisms and risk for thyroid and breast cancer. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length technique was used to determine the specific genotypes in the genes of interest. Statistical analysis was performed by multiple logistic regression test. We found an association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and risks to both thyroid (OR = 2.50; 95% CI = 1.15-5.46; P = 0.02) and breast cancer (OR = 2.53; 95% CI = 1.08-5.93; P = 0.03). Tobacco consumption and high body mass index were also associated with thyroid cancer. In addition, increased age (= 50 years) and alcohol consumption were found to be associated with breast cancer. Our results indicated that MTHFR C677T is significantly associated with thyroid and breast cancer risks. Thus, these factors may be used as potential prognostic markers for thyroid and breast cancers.

OBJETIVO: Estabelecer o perfil clínico e demográfico bem como identificar os fatores de risco entre os pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço e relacioná-los ao polimorfismo dos genes GSTT1 e GSTM1. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 100 pacientes com carcinoma espinocelular de cabeça e pescoço e 100 indivíduos sem história de neoplasia. A análise molecular foi realizada pela técnica de PCR multiplex. Para a análise estatística, os dados foram tabulados e comparados pelo teste exato de Fisher. Foi também utilizado o teste do Qui quadrado e de regressão logística múltipla. RESULTADOS: Há predomínio de indivíduos tabagistas (OR= 5,32; IC95%= 2,04-13,86; p=0,0006), etilistas (OR= 5,04; IC95%= 2,19-11,59; p= 0,0001) em pacientes com neoplasia de cabeça e pescoço. Foi identificado genótipo nulo do gene GSTT1 em 47% dos pacientes e 41% dos controles (OR= 0,67; IC 95%= 0,34-1,35; p= 0,2648). Da mesma forma, identificou-se o genótipo nulo do gene GSTM1 em 66% dos pacientes e 75% dos controles (OR= 2,25; IC95%= 1,05-4,84; p= 0,0368). A análise dos genótipos combinados demonstrou associação entre GSTM1*0/GSTT1 e a ocorrência de carcinoma de cabeça e pescoço (OR= 7,64; IC 95%= 1,72-34,04; p= 0,0076). A análise dos parâmetros clínicos mostrou que é possível identificar associação entre genótipo GSTT1 nulo e neoplasia na laringe, o inverso ocorrendo com este genótipo e a faringe. CONCLUSÃO: Em nosso estudo foi possível estabelecer a associação entre a nulidade do genótipo GSTM1 e dos genótipos combinados GSTT1/GSTM1 *0 ([ ] / [-] a ocorrência de câncer de cabeça e pescoço. OBJECTIVE: To establish the clinical and demographic profile and identify risk factors among patients with head and neck cancer and relate them to the polymorphism of GSTT1 and GSTM1. METHODS: One hundred patients with head and neck cancer and 100 control group individuals without history of neoplasm were analyzed. . The molecular analysis were made by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. For statistical analysis, data were tabulated and compared by the Fisher’s exact test, the Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression were also used. RESULTS: There was prevalence of smokers (OR = 5.32, CI 95% CI = 2.04-13.86 p = 0.0006), alcohol drinkers (OR = 5.04, CI 95% = 2.19-11.59 p = 0.0001) in head and neck cancer patients . The GSTT1 null genotype was found in 47% of the patient and 41% of the control group (OR = 0.67; CI 95%= 0.34-1.35; p = 0.2648). Likewise , the GSTM1 null genotype was found in 66% of the patient and 75% of the control group (OR = 2.25; CI 95%= 1.05 - 4.84; p = 0.0368). The combined GSTT1 and GSTM1 gene null genotype shown association between GSTM1*0/GSTT1 and occurrence of head and neck carcinoma (OR = 7.64; CI 95%= 1.72-34.04; p = 0.0076). Analysis of clinical-pathological features showed association between GSTT1 null genotype and larynx, the inverse relation between this genotype and pharynx. CONCLUSION: In our study it was possible to establish association between GSTM1 null genotypes and head and neck cancer