Cáncer oral: Genética, prevención, diagnóstico y tratamiento. Revisión de la literatura

Abstract

The aim of this revision was to update the actual situation of oral cancer, and other important aspects of this illness explaining how the genetic mechanism and tumorogenesis in cancer works. We have reviewed the articles published in the last ten years about the general aspects of oral cancer, distinguishing the risk factors, diagnosis and treatment. The most important conclusions of this review, in relation to oral cancer, have been that this illness is a problem which increases with age, from 50 years old onwards, and that around 90% of the tumours that appear in the oral cavity are squamous cell carcinomas. Oral cancer is multifactorial, but the two most important risk factors are tobacco and alcohol. The prevalence of oral cancer continues to rise, that is why the role of the dentist is very important in detecting this illness in its early stages, by doing a correct anamnesis and a correct extraoral and intraoral inspection, decreasing the morbility and mortality.