PHILADELPHIA, PA, USA/LEIPZIG, Germany: New findings by researchers from the United States have shown that chronic periodontitis might represent a clinical high-risk profile for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The strength of the association was greatest in the oral cavity, followed by the oropharynx and larynx, suggesting the need for increased efforts to prevent and treat periodontitis as a possible means to reduce the risk of this form of cancer.
Head and neck cancer figures have increased especially in regions like Southern Asia. Each year there are approximately 400,000 cases of cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx with another 160,000 cases of cancer of the larynx worldwide resulting in approximately 300,000 deaths. The main risk factors for these cancers have been tobacco and alcohol use.
The researchers from the University of Buffalo assessed the role of chronic periodontitis on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, as well as the individual roles on the oral cavity, oropharyngeal and laryngeal subsites. They used radiographic measurement of bone loss to measure periodontitis among 463 patients; 207 of whom were controls. When they stratified the relationship by tobacco use, they found that the association persisted in those patients who never used tobacco.
"Confirmatory studies with more comprehensive assessment of smoking, such as duration, quantity and patterns of use, as well as smokeless tobacco history are needed," said Dr Mine Tezal, assistant professor in the Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo. "Our study also suggests that chronic periodontitis may be associated with poorly differentiated tumour status in the oral cavity. Continuous stimulation of cellular proliferation by chronic inflammation may be responsible for this histological type.”
"Prevent periodontitis; if you have it already, get treatment and maintain good oral hygiene," she recommends.
(Edited by Daniel Zimmermann)
LEIPZIG, Germany: A new anti-leukaemia compound, currently being studied at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University in New York City ...
BUFFALO, N.Y., USA: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), once almost exclusively associated with cancer of the cervix, is now linked to head and neck cancer. ...
CHAPEL HILL, N.C., US: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a global health concern, ranking as the sixth most common malignancy worldwide. Poor...
CLEVELAND, Ohio, USA: A recent study has investigated the association between periodontitis and women's health issues. The researchers focused on adverse ...
Timothy Caruso is a physical therapist with over 30 years of experience, specialising in manual therapy, orthopaedics and ergonomics. In this interview ...
At the end of the 19th century, when researchers developed the first X-ray machine, they knew it posed potential danger. Due to leakage from X-ray tubes, ...
LOUISVILLE, Ky., USA: Does gum disease indicate future joint problems? Although researchers and clinicians have long known about an association between two ...
CHICAGO: Maintaining periodontal health may contribute to a healthy respiratory system, according to research published in the Journal of Periodontology. A ...
NIIGATA, Japan/PHILADELPHIA, US: Ageing is known to increase people’s susceptibility to chronic inflammatory bone loss disorders, including periodontal ...
Chinese researchers have found that individuals with periodontal disease might be at an increased risk of developing lung cancer. The report, published ...
Live webinar
Thu. 18 July 2024
8:00 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Tue. 6 August 2024
6:00 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Tue. 13 August 2024
7:00 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Wed. 14 August 2024
12:30 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Wed. 21 August 2024
9:00 AM EST (New York)
Dr. Jim Lai DMD, MSc(Perio), EdD, FRCD(C)
Live webinar
Wed. 28 August 2024
8:00 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Mon. 2 September 2024
5:00 AM EST (New York)
To post a reply please login or register