Relationship between ABO blood groups and head and neck cancer among Greek patients.

Purpose: We examined the association of ABO blood groups with the different types of head and neck cancers.

Methods: 195 diagnosed cases and 801 controls were selected from a Greek tertiary cancer center. Information regarding type of head and neck cancer and ABO blood group was collected and registered.

Results: The O blood group was found to be most prevalent followed by A, B and AB among the controls, whereas blood group A followed by O, B and AB was most prevalent among cancer patients. The difference among the distribution between the cases and controls was statistically significant in blood group A (p<0.05), whereas blood group A had 1.52-fold higher risk of developing head and neck cancer compared to people of other blood groups.

Conclusions: Blood group A was found to be a potential risk factor for the development of head and neck cancers.