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Tobacco Active and Passive Smoking

2. What kinds of cancer does tobacco cause in smokers?

  • 2.1 Which cancers are caused by cigarette smoking?
  • 2.2 Which cancers do not appear to be caused by cigarette smoking?
  • 2.3 For which cancers does a link remain unclear?
  • 2.4 Does cigar, pipe or bidi smoking also cause cancer?
  • 2.5 For which cancers does a link remain unclear?

The source document for this Digest states:

Human carcinogenicity data

In the previous 1986 IARC Monograph on tobacco smoking, cancers of the lung, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus (squamous-cell carcinoma), pancreas, urinary bladder and renal pelvis were identified as caused by cigarette smoking. Many more studies published since this earlier Monograph support these causal links. In addition, there is now sufficient evidence for a causal association between cigarette smoking and cancers of the nasal cavities and nasal sinuses, oesophagus (adenocarcinoma), stomach, liver, kidney (renal-cell carcinoma), uterine cervix and myeloid leukaemia.

In cancer sites that were causally linked to cigarette smoking in the previous IARC Monograph on tobacco smoking, the observed relative risks ranged generally from approximately 3 for pancreatic cancer to more than 20 for lung cancer. For those cancer sites that were now also linked to cigarette smoking in this Monograph, generally two- to threefold increased risks were observed.

Source & ©: IARC "  Tobacco Smoking and Tobacco Smoke, Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation"
Volume 83 - Chapter 5.2: Human carcinogenicity data - Cigarettes, 2004

2.1 Which cancers are caused by cigarette smoking?

2.1.1 Lung

The source document for this Digest states:

Lung cancer is the most common cause of death from cancer in the world. The total number of cases is now estimated to be 1.2 million annually and is still increasing. The major cause of lung cancer is tobacco smoking, primarily of cigarettes. In populations with prolonged cigarette use, the proportion of lung cancer cases attributable to cigarette smoking has reached 90%.

The duration of smoking is the strongest determinant of lung cancer in smokers. Hence, the earlier the age of starting and the longer the continuation of smoking in adulthood, the greater the risk. Risk of lung cancer also increases in proportion to the numbers of cigarettes smoked.

Tobacco smoking increases the risk of all histological types of lung cancer including squamous-cell carcinoma, small-cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma (including bronchiolar/alveolar carcinoma) and large-cell carcinoma. The association between adenocarcinoma of the lung and smoking has become stronger over time. The carcinogenic effects of cigarette smoking appear similar in both women and men.

Stopping smoking at any age avoids the further increase in risk of lung cancer incurred by continued smoking. The younger the age at cessation, the greater the benefit.

Source & ©: IARC "  Tobacco Smoking and Tobacco Smoke, Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation"
Volume 83 - Chapter 5.2: Human carcinogenicity data - Cigarettes, 2004

2.1.2 Urinary tract

The source document for this Digest states:

Tobacco smoking is a major cause of transitional-cell carcinomas of the bladder, ureter and renal pelvis. Risk increases with the duration of smoking and number of cigarettes smoked. As for lung cancer, stopping smoking at any age avoids the further increase in risk incurred by continued smoking.

Evidence from several cohort and case-control studies published since the previous IARC Monograph on tobacco smoking has indicated that renal-cell carcinoma is associated with tobacco smoking in both men and women. The association is not explained by confounding. A dose-response relationship with the number of cigarettes smoked has been noted in most studies, and a few also noted a reduction in risk after cessation.

Source & ©: IARC "  Tobacco Smoking and Tobacco Smoke, Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation"
Volume 83 - Chapter 5.2: Human carcinogenicity data - Cigarettes, 2004

2.1.3 Oral cavity

The source document for this Digest states:

Tobacco smoking, including cigarette smoking, is causally associated with cancer of the oral cavity (including lip and tongue) in both men and women. Since the previous IARC Monograph on tobacco smoking, evidence from many more studies has accumulated that further confirms this association. Use of smokeless tobacco and/or alcohol in combination with tobacco smoking greatly increases the risk of oral cancer. Risk increases substantially with duration of smoking and number of cigarettes smoked. Risk among former smokers is consistently lower than among current smokers and there is a trend of decreasing risk with increasing number of years since quitting.

Source & ©: IARC "  Tobacco Smoking and Tobacco Smoke, Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation"
Volume 83 - Chapter 5.2: Human carcinogenicity data - Cigarettes, 2004

2.1.4 Nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses

The source document for this Digest states:

An increased risk of sinonasal cancer among cigarette smokers has been reported in all nine case–control studies for which results are available. Of seven studies that have analysed dose-response relationships, a positive trend was found in five and was suggested in the other two. In all the five studies that have analysed squamous-cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma separately, the relative risk was clearly increased for squamous-cell carcinoma.

Source & ©: IARC "  Tobacco Smoking and Tobacco Smoke, Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation"
Volume 83 - Chapter 5.2: Human carcinogenicity data - Cigarettes, 2004

2.1.5 Nasopharynx

The source document for this Digest states:

An increased risk for nasopharyngeal cancer among cigarette smokers was reported in one cohort study and nine case–c ontrol studies. Increased relative risks were reported in both high- and low-risk geographical regions for nasopharyngeal cancer. A dose-response relationship was detected with either duration or amount of smoking. A reduction in risk after quitting was also detected. The potential confounding effect of infection with Epstein–Barr virus was not controlled for in these studies; however, such an effect was not considered to be plausible. No important role was shown for other potential confounders.

Source & ©: IARC "  Tobacco Smoking and Tobacco Smoke, Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation"
Volume 83 - Chapter 5.2: Human carcinogenicity data - Cigarettes, 2004

2.1.6 Oropharynx and hypopharynx

The source document for this Digest states:

Oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer are causally associated with cigarette smoking. The risk increased with increased duration of smoking and daily cigarette consumption and decreased with increasing time since quitting.

Source & ©: IARC "  Tobacco Smoking and Tobacco Smoke, Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation"
Volume 83 - Chapter 5.2: Human carcinogenicity data - Cigarettes, 2004

2.1.7 Oesophagus

The source document for this Digest states:

Tobacco smoking is causally associated with cancer of the oesophagus, particularly squamous-cell carcinoma. Tobacco smoking is also causally associated with adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus. In most of the epidemiological studies, the risk for all types of oesophageal cancer increased with numbers of cigarettes smoked daily and duration of smoking. However, risk for oesophageal cancer remains elevated many years after cessation of smoking.

Tobacco and alcohol in combination with tobacco smoking greatly increase the risk for squamous-cell carcinoma of the oesophagus. In India, use of smokeless tobacco in combination with smoking also greatly increases the risk.

Source & ©: IARC "  Tobacco Smoking and Tobacco Smoke, Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation"
Volume 83 - Chapter 5.2: Human carcinogenicity data - Cigarettes, 2004

2.1.8 Larynx

The source document for this Digest states:

Laryngeal cancer is causally associated with cigarette smoking. The risk increases substantially with duration and number of cigarettes smoked. Use of alcohol in combination with tobacco smoking greatly increases the risk for laryngeal cancer. A few studies also reported that relative risks for cancer of the larynx increased with decreasing age at start of smoking. The relative risk decreased with increasing time since quitting smoking.

Source & ©: IARC "  Tobacco Smoking and Tobacco Smoke, Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation"
Volume 83 - Chapter 5.2: Human carcinogenicity data - Cigarettes, 2004

2.1.9 Pancreas

The source document for this Digest states:

Cancer of the pancreas is causally associated with cigarette smoking. The risk increases with duration of smoking and number of cigarettes smoked daily. The risk remains elevated after allowing for potential confounding factors such as alcohol consumption. The relative risk decreased with increasing time since quitting smoking.

Source & ©: IARC "  Tobacco Smoking and Tobacco Smoke, Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation"
Volume 83 - Chapter 5.2: Human carcinogenicity data - Cigarettes, 2004

2.1.10 Stomach

The source document for this Digest states:

The data available in 1986 did not permit the earlier IARC Working Group to conclude that the association between tobacco smoking and stomach cancer was causal. Since that time, further studies have shown a consistent association of cancer of the stomach with cigarette smoking in both men and women in many cohort and case–control studies conducted in various parts of the world. Confounding by other factors (e.g. alcohol consumption, Helicobacter pylori infection and dietary factors) can be reasonably ruled out. Risk increases with duration of smoking and number of cigarettes smoked, and decreases with increasing duration of successful quitting. In studies that had adequate numbers, the relative risks for men and women were similar.

Source & ©: IARC "  Tobacco Smoking and Tobacco Smoke, Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation"
Volume 83 - Chapter 5.2: Human carcinogenicity data - Cigarettes, 2004

2.1.11 Liver

The source document for this Digest states:

In the previous IARC Monograph on tobacco smoking, a causal relationship between liver cancer and smoking could not be established, chiefly due to possible confounding from alcohol intake and hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections. Many cohort studies and case–control studies have provided additional information on smoking and liver cancer since then. Most of the cohort studies and the largest case–c ontrol studies (most notably those that included community controls) showed a moderate association between tobacco smoking and risk of liver cancer. In many studies, the risk for liver cancer increased with the duration of smoking or the number of cigarettes smoked daily. Former smokers who had stopped smoking for more than 10 years showed a decline in liver cancer risk. Confounding from alcohol can be ruled out, at least in the best case–c ontrol studies, by means of careful adjustment for drinking habits. An association with smoking has also been demonstrated among non-drinkers. Many studies, most notably from Asia, have shown no attenuation of the association between smoking and liver cancer after adjustment/stratification for markers of hepatitis B/hepatitis C virus infection. There is now sufficient evidence to judge the association between tobacco smoking and liver cancer as causal.

Source & ©: IARC "  Tobacco Smoking and Tobacco Smoke, Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation"
Volume 83 - Chapter 5.2: Human carcinogenicity data - Cigarettes, 2004

2.1.12 Cervix

The source document for this Digest states:

An association of invasive cervical squamous-cell carcinoma with smoking has been observed in the large number of studies reviewed. The most recent studies have controlled for infection with human papillomavirus, a known cause of cervical cancer. The effect of smoking was not diminished by the adjustment for human papillomavirus infection, or analysis restricted to cases and controls both positive for human papillomavirus (as ascertained by human papillomavirus DNA or human papillomavirus serological methods). There is now sufficient evidence to establish a causal association of squamous-cell cervical carcinoma with smoking. In the small number of studies available for adeno- and adeno-squamous-cell carcinoma, no consistent association was observed.

Source & ©: IARC "  Tobacco Smoking and Tobacco Smoke, Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation"
Volume 83 - Chapter 5.2: Human carcinogenicity data - Cigarettes, 2004

2.1.13 Leukaemia

The source document for this Digest states:

Myeloid leukaemia in adults was observed to be causally related to smoking. Risk increased with amount of tobacco smoked in a substantial number of adequate studies. No clear evidence of any risk was seen for lymphoid leukaemia/lymphoma.

Support for a causal relationship of smoking with myeloid leukaemia is provided by the finding of known leukaemogens in tobacco smoke, one of which (benzene) is present in sufficient amounts to account for up to half of the estimated excess of acute myeloid leukaemia.

Source & ©: IARC "  Tobacco Smoking and Tobacco Smoke, Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation"
Volume 83 - Chapter 5.2: Human carcinogenicity data - Cigarettes, 2004

2.2 Which cancers do not appear to be caused by cigarette smoking?

The source document for this Digest states:

Female breast

Most epidemiological studies have found no association with active smoking, after controlling for established risk factors (e.g. age at time of first birth, parity, family history of breast cancer and alcohol). The large multicentre pooled analysis of the association of smoking with breast cancer in non-drinkers confirms the lack of an increased risk of breast cancer associated with smoking."

"Endometrium

Cigarette smoking is not associated with an increased risk for endometrial cancer. An inverse relationship of cigarette smoking with endometrial cancer is observed consistently in most case–control and cohort studies, after adjustment for major confounders. This pattern is stronger in post-menopausal women.

Source & ©: IARC "  Tobacco Smoking and Tobacco Smoke, Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation"
Volume 83 - Chapter 5.2: Human carcinogenicity data - Cigarettes, 2004

2.3 For which cancers does a link remain unclear?

The source document for this Digest states:

Colorectal cancer

There is some evidence from prospective cohort studies and case–control studies that the risk of colorectal cancer is increased among tobacco smokers. However, it is not possible to conclude that the association between tobacco smoking and colorectal cancer is causal. Inadequate adjustment for various potential confounders could account for some of the small increase in risk that appears to be associated with smoking.

Prostate

No clear evidence of any risk for prostate cancer is seen in case–control studies or in studies of incident cases in cohort studies. The small excess observed in some analytical mortality studies can reasonably be explained by bias in the attribution of the underlying cause of death.

Other

There is inconsistent and/or sparse evidence for association between cigarette smoking and other cancer sites that were considered by the Working Group.

Source & ©: IARC "  Tobacco Smoking and Tobacco Smoke, Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation"
Volume 83 - Chapter 5.2: Human carcinogenicity data - Cigarettes, 2004

2.4 Does cigar, pipe or bidi smoking also cause cancer?

The source document for this Digest states:

Cigars and pipes

Cigar and/or pipe smoking is strongly related to cancers of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx and oesophagus, the magnitude of risk being similar to that from cigarette smoking. These risks increase with the amount of cigar and/or pipe smoking and with the combination of alcohol and tobacco consumption. Cigar and/or pipe smoking is causally associated with cancer of the lung and there is evidence that cigar and/or pipe smoking are also causally associated with cancers of the pancreas, stomach and urinary bladder.

Bidi

Bidi smoking is the most common form of tobacco smoking in India and is also prevalent in other south-Asian countries and an emerging problem in the USA. Bidi smoke was considered as carcinogenic in the earlier IARC Monograph on tobacco smoking, and later studies have provided further evidence of causality. Case–control studies demonstrated a strong association at various sites: oral cavity (including subsites), pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, lung and stomach. Almost all studies show significant trends with duration of bidi smoking and number of bidis smoked.

Source & ©: IARC "  Tobacco Smoking and Tobacco Smoke, Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation"
Volume 83 - Chapter 5.2: Human carcinogenicity data - Cigar, pipe and bidi, 2004

2.5 For which cancers does a link remain unclear?

The source document for this Digest states:

Synergy

For public health purposes, synergy should be characterized as a positive departure from additivity. The epidemiological literature often inadequately describes combined effects of smoking with co-exposures to other carcinogenic agents and in many studies power is limited for characterizing combined effects. The issue of synergistic effects can be appropriately addressed by epidemiological studies that show stratified analysis and have sufficient power. The studies reviewed found evidence of synergy between smoking and several occupational causes of lung cancer (arsenic, asbestos and radon), and between smoking and alcohol consumption for cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx and oesophagus and between smoking and human papillomavirus infection for cancer of the cervix. Data were inadequate to evaluate the evidence for synergy between smoking and other known causes of cancer (e.g. hepatitis B and alcohol for liver cancer).

Source & ©: IARC "  Tobacco Smoking and Tobacco Smoke, Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation"
Volume 83 - Chapter 5.2: Human carcinogenicity data - Cigarettes, 2004


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