Correlation of the combination of alcoholism and smoking with the occurrence of cancer in the oral cavity. A screening study in an endangered population.

A number of studies have previously been carried out on patients with tumors of the oral cavity, a majority of whom proved to be heavy smokers and heavy drinkers. However, we are not aware of literature reports relating to the converse situation: a study of alcoholics and strong smokers to establish the incidence of malignant processes of the oral cavity among them. Accordingly, the present aim was to investigate the occurrence of oral cavity lesions among 300 subjects who were alcoholic and heavy smokers and of the opinion that they had no tumor. Malignant processes were detected in the oral cavity or its environment in 2.66% of the 300 subjects, and more than 19% of them were found to harbour benign tumors and precancerous lesions. These investigations highlight the importance of screening examinations of the endangered population.

[Correlation between the combination of alcohol consumption and smoking in oral cancer (screening of the population at risk)]. / A krónikus alkoholfogyasztás és a dohányzás együttes összefüggése a szájüregi rákbetegséggel (szürövizsgálat a veszélyeztett populációban).

The mortality from tumours of all kinds doubled in Hungary between 1960 and 1993, whereas the mortality from tumorous diseases of the oral cavity in the same period increased 5-fold. The results of stomato-oncological screening studies on volunteers from the general population do not reflect this alarming rise. However, the risk of tumorous diseases of the oral cavity may be expected to be much higher among those who smoke and drink heavily. Accordingly, a screening study was carried out among such and endangered population: 300 (230 men and 70 women) subjects who were either homeless or participating in alcohol withdrawal treatment. The results of this screening confirmed the expectation: precancerous lesions were found in or around the oral cavity in 14% of this population, benign tumours in 2.33%, and malignancies in 2.66%.

[Acropathia ulcero-mutilans non familiaris (Bureau-Barrière). (Case report with special reference to the x-ray findings) (author's transl)]. / Acropathia ulceromutilans non familiaris Bureau-Barrière. Fallbeobachtungen unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Röntgenmorphologie.

Four cases of non-familiar acropathia ulcero-mutilans (Bureau-Barriere) are described. In all cases there was a history of alcoholism, abnormal liver function, painless foot ulcers and polyneuritis. The radiological changes were confined to the lower extremities. There were osteolytic changes in the metatarsal heads and the bases of the proximal phalanges, particularly of the great toes; in addition, there was general demineralisation of the bones of the feet. One case was remarkable in that the tarsal bones and the proximal protions of the metatarsals were also involved. A variety of bone deformities were observed, and there were pathological fractures as well as subluxation and dislocation. The differential diagnosis between familial and non-familial acro-osteolysis, and of some other bone abnormalities is discussed. A multifactorial pathogenesis of the disease is suggested.