Cancer of the head and neck in atomic bomb survivors: Hiroshima and Nagasaki, 1957-1976

Journal Article · Sun Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Cancer (Philadelphia); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-0142(19811115)48:10<2172::AID-CNCR2820481010>3.0.CO;2-H· OSTI ID:5388752

Pinkston, J A; Wakabayashi, T; Yamamoto, T; Asano, M; Harada, Y; Kumagami, H; Takeuchi, M

A search was conducted in Hiroshima and Nagasaki for all cases of cancer of the lip, nose and nasal cavity, accessory sinuses, larynx, and the oral cavity and pharynx with their subdivisions occurring during the period 1957-1976 among a large, fixed cohort of atomic bomb survivors. A total of 232 cases were identified, of which 154 (66.4%) were histologically confirmed (definite cases). Among definite cases, cancer of the epiglottis and larynx predominated (31.2%), followed by accessory sinus (24.7%) and tongue (18.8%). Of the 154 definite cases, 141 (91.6%) were squamous-cell carcinomas. Only two sarcomas were identified, neither of which was attributable to radiation exposure. Analysis of both total and definite cases, by both total group and major anatomic site, failed to reveal definite evidence of a radiation relationship. Although a suggestive relationship to radiation dose was found for accessory sinus cancers (P . 0.06) among the definite cases, inconsistencies in the data do not permit the conclusion that the incidence of tumors in this group increased as a result of atomic bomb radiation exposure. The medical literature concerning post-irradiation head and neck tumors is briefly reviewed.

• Research Organization: Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima-Nagasaki, Japan
• OSTI ID: 5388752
• Journal Information: Cancer (Philadelphia); (United States), Journal Name: Cancer (Philadelphia); (United States) Vol. 48:10; ISSN CANCA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560151* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
A-BOMB SURVIVORS
ASIA
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BODY AREAS
DELAYED RADIATION EFFECTS
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISEASES
DOSES
FACE
HEAD
HIROSHIMA
HUMAN POPULATIONS
JAPAN
LARYNX
NAGASAKI
NEOPLASMS
NOSE
ORAL CAVITY
ORGANS
PHARYNX
POPULATIONS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOSENSITIVITY
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM