Epidemiological correlations between head and neck cancer and Hepatitis B core antibody positivity

Background/Aim: Hepatitis B core (HBc) antibody positivity indicates a history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and latent infection. Patients and Methods: We conducted a retrospective case-control study of 512 and 495 head and neck cancer (HNC) and non-HNC patients treated at the Okayama University Hospital, Head and Neck Cancer Center from 2008- 2017. Demographic data and risk factors that might affect HNC diagnosis were analyzed to assess their effects. Results: Cancer diagnosis was found to correlate with HBc antibody positivity [odds ratio (OR)=1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.09-2.08], smoking (OR=3.03, 95%CI=2.16-4.25), and a previous history of cancer (OR=4.12, 95%CI=2.79-6.09). The HBs antigen positivity rate in both groups was very close to that observed in the general Japanese population. The HBc antibody positivity rate was very high only in the HNC group. Conclusion: HBc antibody positivity and HNC are epidemiologically correlated.