Oral cancer

Oral cancer (OC) is a rather frequent pathology representing about 30% of head and neck malignant neoplasms. After many years the incidence of the pathology shows constant values; the male:female ratio is continuously decreasing and at present, it is about of 2:1. The delay in diagnosis is the main cause of unsuccessful treatment and of the high values of poor outcome. OC shows three clinical aspects: exophytic, ulcerative and infiltrative; lips and margins of tongue are the most interested sites. For the diagnosis a correct clinical examination and a biopsy, possibly made with incisional criteria are necessary.     

Oral cancer

In the U.S. oral cancer accounts for 2.1% of all cancers and 1% of cancer deaths. Two to three times as many males as females are affected. Blacks have more intra-oral cancer than whites, and their incidence and mortality rates have increased in recent years. The etiologic process very likely involves several factors. The major etiologic agents are tobacco (all types) and alcoholic beverages. Herpes simplex virus, human papilloma virus, and Candida have been implicated. Host factors include poor state of dentition, nutritional aberrations, cirrhosis of liver, lichen planus, and immunologic impairmant. Cellular changes include amplification of some oncogenes, alterations in antigen expression, production of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, and disturbance of keratin and involucrin production. Experimentally, cancer is readily produced on the hamster cheek pouch and rat oral mucosa. Unlike oral cancer in humans, most experimental lesions are exophytic, and they rarely metastasize.     

Oral cancer detection

There are approximately 21,000 new cases of oral cancer every year. Although the oral cavity is relatively accessible to examination, malignant processes tend to present late with poor prognosis. To improve tumor outcome, early detection and treatment is essential. This article reviews the realms of oral cancer and its causes, as well as early detection methods and screening technologies that may be used. Currently available screening tools may help in visualizing an existing lesion or its borders, but they add little in discriminating between a premalignant, malignant, or inflammatory process.     

微小RNA与肿瘤

微小RNA是一族非编码小RNA,具有极为重要的基因调控作用。微小RNA在肿瘤的发生、发展中具有癌基因和抑癌基因的功能,并且在不同的肿瘤当中具有特异性的表达谱。下面就微小RNA的形成、与肿瘤的关系、目前的研究现状等作一综述。