Peridontal Disease Linked with Oral Cancer

Researchers at the University of Buffalo in New York, have found that the presence of periodontal disease nearly doubles the risk of precancerous lesions and more than quadruples the risk of oral neoplasia.

The study involved analysis of data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey which the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention conducted between 1988 and 1994. It involved 13,798 individuals who were 20 years or older with 6 or more natural teeth.

Results found an odds ratio of 4.23 for non-specific tumours among individuals with peridontitis. There was a 1.74 odds ratio for precancerous lesions among individuals with peridontitis.

Researchers believe their findings provide the first link between oral cancer and oral infection. Survival from oral cancer depends on the stage of the disease at diagnosis. Studies will continue to be carried out to prove if periodontal disease is a significant risk and warning sign. If it is, screening and oral examinations for oral cancer can be targeted in order to improve prevention and early detection of oral cancer.

The study involved analysis of data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey which the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention conducted between 1988 and 1994. It involved 13,798 individuals who were 20 years or older with 6 or more natural teeth.

Results found an odds ratio of 4.23 for non-specific tumours among individuals with peridontitis. There was a 1.74 odds ratio for precancerous lesions among individuals with peridontitis.

Researchers believe their findings provide the first link between oral cancer and oral infection. Survival from oral cancer depends on the stage of the disease at diagnosis. Studies will continue to be carried out to prove if periodontal disease is a significant risk and warning sign. If it is, screening and oral examinations for oral cancer can be targeted in order to improve prevention and early detection of oral cancer.

(Source: Reuters Health)