Risk factors for oral cancer

Abstract

Introduction: oral cancer is a disease with high morbidity and mortality, associated with risk factors whose complex interplay is subject to scientific debate. Objective: to upgrade to the professionals about the risk factors for oral cancer. Methods: the literature review was conducted in SciELO Regional with the descriptors "risk factors" and "oral cancer", for which 31 full-text references were found. In Clinical Key, with the descriptor "cancer of the lip and oral cavity", we found 1746; English descriptors with "genes" and "oral cancer" retrieved 9822 results. PubMed, with the descriptor "oral cancer", retrieved 1207 items. EBSCO, with the descriptor "oral cancer", offered full texts of 5 recent years (839 articles). 200 articles in English and Spanish were retrieved, mainly from 2010-2015, and 62 papers were used. Data analysis and integration: in the oral carcinogenesis, tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes are affected. The non-genetic risk factors are smoking, alcohol consumption, and nutrient deficiency states, environmental factors such as radiation and heavy metals and different bacterial, fungal and viral infections. These factors are also related to immunosuppression, mechanical friction by maladjusted dentures and poor oral hygiene. Conclusions: the main risk factors for oral cancer are described. Susceptibility genes to cancer interact with risk factors mainly related to lifestyle and environmental factors in a complex network, whose identification and control in primary health care is important in the prevention of oral cancer by dentists. Key words: oral cancer; risk factors; oncogenes; tumor suppressor genes; tobacco; alcohol; prevention.

Keywords

• cáncer bucal
• factores de riesgo
• oncogenes
• genes supresores tumorales
• tabaco
• alcohol
• prevención.