Candida in potentially malignant oral disorders.

Area of Science:

• Oral pathology
• Oncology
• Infectious diseases

Background:

• Oro-pharyngeal cancer represents a substantial global health burden.
• Oral squamous cell carcinomas often arise from potentially malignant oral disorders (PMD), a term established by the WHO in 2007.
• PMD signifies a precancerous state with an elevated risk of malignant transformation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the multifactorial etiology of PMD, focusing on major risk factors like tobacco and alcohol.
• To highlight the emerging role of candidal infections in the pathogenesis of PMD.
• To discuss the ongoing debate regarding whether Candida infection causes PMD or is a secondary infection.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating the association between Candida and PMD.
• Analysis of etiological factors contributing to PMD development.
• Examination of the evidence supporting Candida's role in oral precancer.

Main Results:

• Tobacco and alcohol are established major risk factors for PMD.
• Candida infection is increasingly recognized as a significant factor in PMD development.
• The precise causal relationship between Candida and PMD remains under investigation.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the role of Candida in PMD is crucial for early detection and prevention strategies.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the exact mechanism by which Candida influences PMD.
• Addressing candidal infections may offer a novel approach to managing oral precancer risk.