title: A review of the relationship between tooth loss, periodontal disease, and cancer.
abstract: Recent studies have investigated the association between periodontal disease, tooth loss, and several systemic diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and preterm birth. Periodontal disease, a chronic inflammatory condition, is highly prevalent in adult populations around the world, and may be preventable. Estimates of prevalence vary between races and geographic regions, with a marked increase in the occurrence of periodontal disease with advancing age. Worldwide estimates for the prevalence of severe periodontal disease generally range from 10 to 15%. The relationship between oral health and cancer has been examined for a number of specific cancer sites. Several studies have reported associations between periodontal disease or tooth loss and risk of oral, upper gastrointestinal, lung, and pancreatic cancer in different populations. In a number of studies, these associations persisted after adjustment for major risk factors, including cigarette smoking and socioeconomic status. This review provides a summary of these findings, discusses possible biological mechanisms involved, and raises methodological issues related to studying these relationships.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Kresge Building, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. mameyer@hsph.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Mara S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Kaumudi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Joshipura
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giovannucci
authors.forename: Dominique S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Michaud
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000150:complications*; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000150:complications*