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Review
. 2008 Aug;99(8):1507-14.
doi: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2008.00863.x.

Head and neck cancer in the betel quid chewing area: recent advances in molecular carcinogenesis

Yin-Ju Chen  1 , Joseph Tung-Chieh Chang, Chun-Ta Liao, Hung-Ming Wang, Tzu-Chen Yen, Ching-Chi Chiu, Ya-Ching Lu, Hsiao-Fang Li, Ann-Joy Cheng
Affiliations
Review

Head and neck cancer in the betel quid chewing area: recent advances in molecular carcinogenesis

Yin-Ju Chen et al. Cancer Sci. 2008 Aug.

Abstract

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is one of the 10 most frequent cancers worldwide, with an estimated over 500,000 new cases being diagnosed annually. The overall 5-year survival rate in patients with HNC is one of the lowest among common malignant neoplasms and has not significantly changed during the last two decades. Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) shares part of HNC and has been reported to be increasing in the betel quid chewing area in recent years. During 2006, OSCC has become the sixth most common type of cancer in Taiwan, and it is also the fourth most common type of cancer among men. It follows that this type of cancer wreaks a high social and personal cost. Environmental carcinogens such as betel quid chewing, tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking have been identified as major risk factors for head and neck cancer. There is growing interest in understanding the relationship between genetic susceptibility and the prevalent environmental carcinogens for HNC prevention. Within this review, we discuss the molecular and cellular aspects of HNC carcinogenesis in Taiwan, an endemic betel quid chewing area. Knowledge of molecular carcinogenesis of HNC may provide critical clues for diagnosis, prognosis, individualization of therapy and molecular therapeutics.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The incidence rate (per 100 000) of head and neck cancer in Taiwan by sex between 1991 and 2003.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The mortality rate (per 100 000) of head and neck cancer in Taiwan by sex between 1995 and 2006.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The age‐standardized incidence rate (per 100 000) of oral cavity cancer in Taiwan between 1989 and 2000.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The age‐standardized mortality rate (per 100 000) of oral cavity cancer in Taiwan between 1991 and 2002.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Areca fruit and three major types of betel quid used in Taiwan, with (a) unripe areca fruit (b) Ching‐a (c) Shuang‐zi‐sing and (d) Bao‐hyeo.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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