Oral Cancer: Early Detection and Prevention

Abstract

The etiology of oral cancer is apparently multifactorial and involves many alterations in host immunity, metabolism, angiogenesis, and exposure to chronic inflammation in a genetically susceptible individual that accumulate over time. The carcinogenic changes may be influenced by oncogenes, carcinogens, and mutations caused by chemicals, viruses, irradiation, drugs (tobacco and alcohol), hormones, nutrients, or physical irritants. The tongue is the most common site for oral cancer in both American men and women. Oral cavity cancer accounts for about 17,000 of the 30,000 cases of oropharyngeal cancer diagnosed each year and is more common than leukemia, Hodgkin's lymphoma, brain, stomach, or ovarian cancer; the 5-year survival rate has remained at approximately 50% over the past 30 years. This is a major reason why detection of oral cancer as early as possible and/or prevention of the premalignant lesion from progressing to carcinoma are so important. Unfortunately, very little progress has been made during the past 40 years in regard to early diagnosis. This article will provide the reader with a better understanding of the etiology, risk factors, diagnostic importance, and survival rates of patients diagnosed with any of the multiple forms of cancer that can occur in the oral cavity.