Scientific Progress in Understanding Oral and Pharyngeal Cancers

Cigar, Pipe, and Cigarette Smoking as Risk Factors for Periodontal Disease and Tooth Loss

“…[22][23][24] There is also now convincing evidence that oral consumption of tobacco may have significant dental and oropharyngeal consequences. 1,25,26 The results of this study show that cigarette, cigar, and pipe smokers had significantly poorer periodontal health than nonsmokers. This was made evident by a higher prevalence of moderate and severe periodontitis and by higher prevalence and extent of attachment loss and gingival recession in smokers.…”

α-Catulin Marks the Invasion Front of Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Is Important for Tumor Cell Metastasis

“…Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is highly aggressive and account for 45,000 malignancies diagnosed each year and is the fifth leading cancer worldwide (3–6). Despite various treatment options available, HNSCC patients are still faced with a high chance of recurrence and/or metastasis, which is responsible for the poor clinical prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate of only about 50 percent (4, 5). …”

Maryland dental hygienists' knowledge and opinions of oral cancer risk factors and diagnostic procedures

“…Public health strategic interventions aim to address the alarmingly high oral cancer incidence and mortality rates in Maryland (Carpenter et al , 1993). Factors that may contribute to the lack of early detection of lesions and their subsequent advanced‐stage diagnosis include: (1) patients' lack of symptoms; (2) obscured location of lesions; (3) low number of diagnostic exams performed; (4) low knowledge levels both of the public and of health care providers regarding signs, symptoms, and risk factors; and (5) inadequate early identification of patients' risk behaviors for oral cancer and subsequent lack of educational activities targeting reduction of risk factors (Horowitz et al , 1995; Winn et al , 1998).…”