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Review
. 2020 Jun;83(1):213-233.
doi: 10.1111/prd.12329.

Periodontal disease and cancer: Epidemiologic studies and possible mechanisms

Ngozi Nwizu  1   2   3 , Jean Wactawski-Wende  2 , Robert J Genco  4
Affiliations
Review

Periodontal disease and cancer: Epidemiologic studies and possible mechanisms

Ngozi Nwizu et al. Periodontol 2000. 2020 Jun.

Abstract

Epidemiologic and cancer control studies on the association of periodontal disease and cancer risk mostly suggest a positive association with overall cancer risk and certain specific types of cancer. These findings are generally consistent among cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. In this paper, we review epidemiologic studies and current knowledge on periodontal disease and cancer, with a focus on those studies conducted in the years following the Joint European Federation of Periodontology/American Academy of Periodontology Workshop on "Periodontitis and Systemic Diseases" in November 2012. This review also explores the role of chronic inflammation as a biologically plausible mechanistic link between periodontal disease and risk of cancer. Furthermore, it highlights studies that have examined the potential importance of certain periodontal pathogens in this association.

Keywords: cancer risk; epidemiology; inflammation; missing teeth; periodontal disease; tooth loss.

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