Periodontitis as a risk for oral cancer: a case-control study

Area of Science:

• Oral Health
• Oncology
• Periodontology

Background:

• Oral cancer etiology is multifactorial, involving genetics, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle.
• Periodontal disease is linked to an increased risk of oral cancer, with severity correlating to oral squamous cell carcinoma.
• This study revises non-genetic risk factors for oral cancer, focusing on dental status, periodontitis, and oral hygiene.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the association between oral cancer and periodontitis severity.
• To examine socioeconomic and lifestyle risk factors in oral cancer development.
• To assess the role of dental status and oral hygiene in oral cancer formation.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 200 patients (100 oral cancer, 100 controls).
• Data collection included questionnaires on socioeconomic/lifestyle factors and quantitative assessment of dental/periodontal status and oral hygiene.
• Statistical analysis employed chi-square, Mann-Whitney tests, and logistic regression.

Main Results:

• Significant correlations found between oral cancer and sex, age, education, and alcohol consumption.
• Higher Silness-Löe plaque index and edentulism observed in oral cancer patients.
• Oral cancer incidence was 57.1% in patients with periodontal disease vs. 28.6% without; 72.1% of oral cancer patients had stage 4 periodontitis.

Conclusions:

• Periodontitis is an individual risk factor for oral cancer.
• Close monitoring of periodontally compromised individuals, especially those with severe disease and lifestyle risks, is recommended.
• Improving periodontal health can mitigate oral cancer risks in at-risk populations.