Tongue Cancer

New tongue cancer study findings have been reported by scientists at State University of New York

Tongue Cancer Library Library Home This article was published in Biotech Business Week, which you can subscribe to online.

"Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Thirty patients newly diagnosed with base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma between 1999 and 2005 for whom both tumor samples and periodontal records were available. Patients younger than 21 years, edentulous, immunocompromised, and those with a history of cancer were excluded. Periodontitis history was assessed on the basis of alveolar bone loss (in millimeters) from panoramic radiographs by one examiner who was blinded to cancer status. HPV-16 and HPV-18 DNA were identified on paraffin-embedded tumor samples by polymerase chain reaction. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. The prevalence of tumors positive for HPV-16 DNA was 21 of 30 (70%). None of the samples were positive for HPV-18 DNA. Compared with participants with HPV-negative tumors, patients with HPV-positive tumors had significantly higher mean alveolar bone loss (3.90mm vs 2.85 mm, P=.01). After adjustment for age at diagnosis, sex, race/ethnicity, alcohol use, smoking status, and number of missing teeth, every millimeter of alveolar bone loss was associated with an approximately 4-fold (odds ratio, 3.96; 95% confidence interval, 1.18-13.36) increased risk of HPV-positive tumor status. Number of missing teeth was not associated with tumorHPVstatus (odds ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.74-1.21). Chronic periodontitis may be a significant factor in the natural history of HPV infection in patients with base of tongue cancers," wrote M. Tezal and colleagues, State University of New York.

The researchers concluded: "Additional confirmation in larger studies is required."

Tezal and colleagues published the results of their research in Archives of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (Chronic Periodontitis-Human Papillomavirus Synergy in Base of Tongue Cancers. Archives of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, 2009;135(4):391-396).

For additional information, contact M. Tezal, SUNY Buffalo, Dept. of Oral Diagnostic Science, 355 Squire Hall, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA.

The publisher of the journal Archives of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery can be contacted at: American Medical Association, 515 N State St., Chicago, IL 60610-0946, USA.

Keywords: United States, Buffalo, Alveolar Bone Loss, Clinical Trial Research, DNA, Diagnosis, Diagnostics, Enzyme Research, HPV, Human Papillomavirus, Laryngology, Oncology, Otolaryngology, Periodontitis, Polymerase, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Surgery, Tongue Cancer, Tongue Carcinoma, State University of New York.

This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.