Dental News - Head and neck cancer may drive on periodontitis

Tara Yates, USA

Tue. 8 September 2009

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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)

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