Chronic mechanical trauma in the aetiology of oro-pharyngeal carcinoma

Tumours of the oral cavity and the oropharynx account for 12% of the malignancies in our patient material. The group of patients included a high percentage of smokers (83%), heavy drinkers and persons neglectful of oral hygiene. The majority of the patients mainly male were labourers or (small) farmers. In contrast to other reports in the literature, chronic mechanical trauma due to sharp remaining teeth, less than ideal fillings, badly fitting dentures or unsuitable denture-bearing tissue, and loose anchoring attachments were frequently present. Commensurate with the clinical findings, permanent damage to the covering squamous epithelium was demonstrated histologically. In addition to all forms of inflammation, parakeratosis and hyperkeratosis, dysplasia, including carcinoma in situ, and manifest carcinomas also presented. Surface-inert dentures and regular oral hygiene must therefore be considered an important requirement for the prevention of oral-cavity carcinoma.