Cited by 877Alcohol Consumption and Health EffectsHead and Neck Cancer StudiesEsophageal Cancer Research and Treatment

Alcohol and cancer

Boffetta, Paolo, Hashibe, Mia·2006·The Lancet Oncology

Abstract

A causal association has been established between alcohol consumption and cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver, colon, rectum, and, in women, breast; an association is suspected for cancers of the pancreas and lung. Evidence suggests that the effect of alcohol is modulated by polymorphisms in genes encoding enzymes for ethanol metabolism (eg, alcohol dehydrogenases, aldehyde dehydrogenases, and cytochrome P450 2E1), folate metabolism, and DNA repair. The mechanisms by which alcohol consumption exerts its carcinogenic effect have not been defined fully, although plausible events include: a genotoxic effect of acetaldehyde, the main metabolite of ethanol; increased oestrogen concentration, which is important for breast carcinogenesis; a role as solvent for tobacco carcinogens; production of reactive oxygen species and nitrogen species; and changes in folate metabolism. Alcohol consumption is increasing in many countries and is an important cause of cancer worldwide.

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Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/s1470-2045(06)70577-0

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68 of 68 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The risk relationship between alcohol consumption and the development of cancer is modified by genetic variations in the carbon metabolism pathway and the ethanol-acetaldehyde metabolic pathways.

    “The risk relationship between alcohol consumption and the development of cancer has been shown to be modified by genetic variations in the carbon metabolism pathway and the ethanol–acetaldehyde metabolic pathways 181, 182.”

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Authors
Boffetta, P., & Hashibe, M.
Affiliations
Centre international de recherche sur le cancer (FR)
Corresponding author
Boffetta, Paolo
Venue
The Lancet Oncology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2006-02
Volume
7
Issue
2
Pages
149-156
ISSN
1470-2045 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4241577617
Cited by
877
References
70
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 45 · 2024: 36 · 2023: 47 · 2022: 66 · 2021: 58 · 2020: 54 · 2019: 37 · 2018: 44 · 2017: 48 · 2016: 45 · 2015: 51 · 2014: 42 · 2013: 43 · 2012: 52
FWCI
5.40
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The Lancet Oncology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Archivio istituzionale della ricerca (Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Alcohol Consumption and Health Effects
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Otorhinolaryngology › Head and Neck Cancer Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Esophageal Cancer Research and Treatment
Keywords
alcohol consumption, alcohol-related cancer, oral cancer, pharyngeal cancer, laryngeal cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, alcohol metabolism, alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase, CYP2E1, folate metabolism, DNA repair, acetaldehyde, genotoxicity, estrogen, tobacco carcinogens, reactive oxygen species, carcinogenesis mechanisms
MeSH terms
Alcohol Drinking, Ethanol, Female, Humans, Male, Neoplasms, Genetic Predisposition to Disease

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