Study finds link between perio disease and cancer

A new study has found a possible link between cancer and severe periodontal disease after adjustment for smoking and drinking habits (Iranian Journal of Cancer Prevention, Autumn 2011, Vol. 4:4, pp. 189-198).

Several recent studies have suggested a relationship between periodontal disease and cancer, noted the study authors, from the department of periodontology at the Islamic Azad University in Iran.

Their review outlined epidemiologic studies pointing to a possible role for tooth loss and periodontal disease in carcinogenesis. They looked at relevant articles from PubMed between 1995 and June 2010, and selected 17 based on the inclusion and the exclusion criteria.

Nine out of 10 case-control studies reported a significant increase in the risk of oral cancer in patients with periodontitis and one with no significant association, the study authors noted.

Among six studies examining esophageal cancer and periodontal disease, five studies found a significant association.

Also, among five studies that focused on upper gastrointestinal, gastric cancer, and periodontal disease, four found an increased risk of cancer, while one study did not report any relationship.

Finally, out of three cohort studies that evaluated overall cancer rates in periodontal patients, two found a small but significant association.