BACKGROUND Carcinoma of the oral cavity is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Tobacco smoking and the consumption of alcoholic beverages are significant risk factors but to the authors' knowledge the role of nutrition is not adequately understood. The authors undertook an epidemiologic study of oral carcinoma occurring in Greece, where tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption are common but the incidence of the disease is among the lowest reported in Europe. METHODS One hundred six patients with histologically confirmed incident oral carcinoma and an equal number of control subjects matched for age and gender were studied. Dietary information was assessed through a validated extensive food frequency questionnaire and the data were analyzed using conditional logistic regression. RESULTS After adjustment for energy intake, tobacco smoking, and alcohol consumption, there was evidence that the consumption of cereals, fruits, dairy products, and added lipids (which in Greece are represented mostly by olive oil) was found to be associated inversely with the risk of oral carcinoma. Only with respect to meat and meat products was there adequate evidence of a positive association with the risk of oral carcinoma. Among the micronutrients studied, riboflavin, magnesium, and iron appeared to be correlated inversely with the disease. CONCLUSIONS Fruits, cereals, dairy products, and olive oil appear to convey protection against oral carcinoma and their effects may be mediated through higher intakes of riboflavin, iron, and magnesium. The low incidence of oral carcinoma reported in Greece may be explained in part by the higher consumption of the food groups and micronutrients that appear to protect against the disease. Cancer 2002;94:2981–8. © 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10560

In an open, randomized study of 60 patients with acute or recurrent sinusitis, the bacteriological and clinical efficacy of roxithromycin 150 mg bd were compared with those of po co-amoxiclav (625 mg) tds. Of 52 patients who underwent sinus puncture for isolation of causative organisms, 48 had pathogens sensitive to both antibiotics. Satisfactory clinical response was obtained in 93.1% (27/29) evaluable patients receiving roxithromycin and 88.8% (24/27) receiving co-amoxiclav. Tolerability was significantly better in the roxithromycin group, with 1/29 (3.4%) patients in this group experiencing gastrointestinal side-effects, compared with 7/27 (25.9%) patients in the co-amoxiclav group (P < 0.05). Although the study had limited power to detect differences, roxithromycin demonstrated clinical, bacteriological and overall efficacy similar to that of co-amoxiclav, but with better tolerability. Roxithromycin thus appears to be an effective and well-tolerated drug for the treatment of acute and recurrent sinusitis.