The Role of the Dental Team in Preventing and Diagnosing Cancer: 2. Oral Cancer Risk Factors

From Volume 32, Issue 5, June 2005 | Pages 261-274

Authors

Crispian Scully

CBE, DSc, DChD, DMed (HC), Dhc(multi), MD, PhD, PhD (HC), FMedSci, MDS, MRCS, BSc, FDS RCS, FDS RCPS, FFD RCSI, FDS RCSEd, FRCPath, FHEA

Bristol Dental Hospital, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol BS1 2LY, UK

Articles by Crispian Scully

Laurence Newman

FRCS FFD FDS RCS

Maxillofacial Unit, UCLH NHS Trust, Mortimer Market, London WC1E 6AU

Articles by Laurence Newman

Jose Vicente Bagan

DDS, PhD, MD

Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Avenida 3 Cruces, 46014 Valencia, Spain

Articles by Jose Vicente Bagan

Abstract

Oral cancer is among the ten most common cancers world-wide, and is especially seen in disadvantaged older males. Cancer arises as a consequence of DNA mutations causing multiple molecular genetic events in many chromosomes and genes, leading to cell dysregulation. Tobacco and alcohol use are extremely important in oral mutagenesis. Environmental factors such as infective agents and genetic factors are implicated in a minority of patients.

Article