The study aimed to investigate the role of medical history in the aetiology of upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancer. A history of some infections appears to be a marker for decreased risk of UADT cancer.
The role of medical history and medication use varied by UADT subsites with aspirin use associated with a decreased risk of oesophageal cancer and suggestive of a decreased risk of hypopharyngeal and laryngeal cancers.