Oral cancer: Etiology and risk factors: A review

Malay Kumar¹, Ronak Nanavati², Tapan G Modi³, Chintan Dobariya^4
1 Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Carrier Post graduate Institute of Dental Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
² Department of Prosthodontics, Ahmedabad Dental College and Hospital, Gujarat University, Santej, India
³ Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, College of Dental Science and Research Centre, Maa Kamla Charitable Trust, Ahmedabad, India
⁴ Dental Surgeon, Shanti Charitable Trust, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Correspondence Address:
Malay Kumar,
Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Carrier Post Graduate Institute of Dental Sciences, Near IIM, Ghailla, Sitapur Hardoi Bypass Road, Lucknow 226 020, Uttar Pradesh
India

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None

Oral cancer is the sixth most common malignancy in the world. Oral cancer is of major concern in Southeast Asia primarily because of the prevalent oral habits of betel quid chewing, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Despite recent advances in cancer diagnoses and therapies, the 5-year survival rate of oral cancer patients has remained at a dismal 50% in the last few decades. This paper is an overview of the various etiological agents and risk factors implicated in the development of oral cancer.

Keywords: Etiology, genetic predisposition, nutrition, oral cancer, risk factors, tobacco, viruses