Alcohol and Alcoholism Advance Access originally published online on November 24, 2005
Alcohol and Alcoholism 2006 41(2):140-142; doi:10.1093/alcalc/agh245
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CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS OF CONTINUED ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AFTER DIAGNOSIS OF UPPER AERODIGESTIVE TRACT CANCER
Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA, 1 Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA and 2 Department of Stomatology, College of Dental Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed at: Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 67 President Street, P.O. Box 250861, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. Tel.: +1 843 792 5547; Fax: +1 843 792 7353; E-mail: millerpm{at}musc.edu
(Received 20 June 2005; first review notified 30 August 2005; in final revised form 20 October 2005; accepted 31 October 2005)
Aims: To examine clinical implications of findings on the relationship between continued alcohol consumption in patients after diagnosis and treatment of upper aerodigestive tract cancer. Methods: Clinical research literature on the prevalence and effects of alcohol consumption after oral cancer diagnosis was reviewed. Since limited research is currently available on this important clinical topic, all published studies were considered regardless of size and methodology. Results: Between 34 and 57% of oral cancer patients continue to drink alcohol after cancer diagnosis. Continued drinking increases complications from surgery, increases the likelihood of recurrent cancer, and reduces disease-specific survival. Older patients and those with a longer and heavier drinking pattern prior to diagnosis are more likely to continue drinking after diagnosis. Conclusions: Findings indicate that routine alcohol screening of newly diagnosed oral cancer patients as well as brief intervention and/or treatment referral is warranted. Monitoring of alcohol consumption for the first year after diagnosis and treatment is recommended.