title: Viruses and oral cancer. Is there a link?
abstract: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignant tumour of the oral cavity. The aetiology of epithelial cancer of the head and neck is considered to be a multifactorial, sequential process. DNA viruses are found in many different cancers and are also capable of transforming cells to a malignant phenotype. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) has been proposed as risk factors in OSCC development and HPV type 16 is the most important subtype. Other oncogenic virus species i.e., Epstein-Barr Virus and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 have been proposed to be involved in oral carcinogenesis. However, no convincing evidence exist that they are an established risk factor in OSCC. Therefore more studies are needed in order to clarify the different aspects of virus involvement. Here, we review the existing literature on viral involvement in oral cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical Faculty, Uppsala University, Akademiska sjukhuset, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden. Electronic address: lars.sand@surgsci.uu.se.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sand
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical Faculty, Uppsala University, Akademiska sjukhuset, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Jamshid
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jalouli
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology*; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications*
keywords: Epstein–Barr Virus; Human Papilloma Virus; Human herpes simplex virus type 1; Oral cancer