Poor Oral Hygiene May Increase the Risk of Head and Neck Cancer

In addition to tobacco use and HPV infection, oral and dental health is also important in the development of head and neck cancers. Experts point out that poor oral hygiene, chronic irritation and neglected teeth are associated with some oral cancers, and recommend that symptoms lasting longer than two to three weeks be evaluated by an ENT specialist.

Head and neck cancers can originate from the cells lining regions such as the mouth, throat and larynx. In this group of diseases, in which lifestyle habits play an important role, tobacco use, HPV infection and oral health are among the most prominent risk factors.

Noting that head and neck cancer is seen in approximately 900,000-950,000 people worldwide each year, Anadolu Sağlık Merkezi Hastanesi ENT Specialist Prof. Dr. Emre Üstündağ drew attention to the effect of especially long-term tobacco use on this risk.

Üstündağ said, "As the amount of cigarettes smoked and the duration of use increase, the risk also increases. In particular, HPV-16 type is associated with oropharyngeal cancers involving the tonsils and base of the tongue. Long-term smokers, those carrying HPV infection, those who have previously had head and neck cancer, and individuals over the age of 40 need to be more careful. Although the disease is mostly seen over the age of 50, HPV-related cancers can also be encountered at younger ages."

Tobacco use and oral health are important
Emphasizing that staying away from tobacco products is one of the fundamental measures for protection against head and neck cancers, Üstündağ stated that cigarettes, pipes, cigars and smokeless tobacco products are strongly associated especially with cancers of the oral cavity, larynx and pharynx.

Noting that the risk increases with the duration and amount of tobacco use, Üstündağ pointed out that this risk can decrease significantly over time after quitting smoking.

Stating that oral and dental health is also important for protection, Üstündağ said, "Since poor oral hygiene, chronic irritation and neglected teeth are associated with some oral cancers, regular dental check-ups, good oral care and proper use of dentures are among the protective measures."

Symptoms lasting longer than two to three weeks should not be ignored
Noting that head and neck cancers can present with different symptoms in different regions, Üstündağ said that complaints that persist for a long time in particular should be taken into consideration.

Non-healing sores in the mouth, white or red patches, hardness or a mass on the tongue or floor of the mouth, difficulty swallowing, painful swallowing, a feeling of something stuck in the throat, and prolonged hoarseness are among the main symptoms.

In addition, a painless and gradually growing mass in the neck, swelling that does not resolve despite antibiotic treatment, one-sided nasal congestion, recurrent nosebleeds, and numbness or swelling in the face are also among the findings that should be evaluated.

Noting that continuous, unexplained one-sided ear pain in adults, despite no problem being detected during ear examination, should also be taken seriously, Üstündağ stated that if any of these symptoms persists for longer than two to three weeks, an ENT specialist should be consulted.

Imaging methods guide the diagnosis and treatment process
Stating that accurate and early diagnosis is critical for treatment planning in head and neck cancers, Üstündağ said that different imaging methods are used to assess the spread of the disease.

Computed tomography (CT) helps assess the size of the tumor, its spread to surrounding tissues and bone involvement, while magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows detailed examination of soft tissues such as the tongue, floor of the mouth, nasopharynx and skull base in particular.

PET-CT is used to investigate hidden lymph node involvement and distant metastases, while ultrasonography plays a role in evaluating lymph nodes and guiding biopsy.

Stating that a sample must be taken from the suspicious tissue for a definitive diagnosis, Üstündağ noted that, depending on the location of the lesion, endoscopic biopsy, fine needle aspiration biopsy, or "tru-cut" biopsy methods that allow a larger tissue sample to be obtained can be used.

Artificial intelligence offers new possibilities in diagnostic processes
Artificial intelligence technologies are also expected to play a greater role in the diagnosis and evaluation of head and neck cancers in the future.

Although not yet used routinely in every center, developing artificial intelligence applications, especially in the fields of pathology and imaging, are making it possible to analyze tissue samples transferred to digital environments in greater detail.

It is anticipated that these technologies could contribute to determining the characteristics of the tumor and its potential aggressiveness in the future.