The demographics and histopathological features of oral cavity cancers in Turkey

Evaluation of Turkish dentists' knowledge about oral cancer and oral mucosal lesions

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Oral cancer, including malignancies of the tongue, lips, floor of the mouth, cheek mucosa, gums, palate, and oropharynx, is life-threatening. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial for long-term survival. Dentists frequently encounter oral cancers due to the nature of their work. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and experience of dentists in Turkey regarding oral cancers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 361 participants were included in the study, and survey questions were sent via email. The survey consisted of 16 questions measuring demographic data and knowledge about oral cancerous lesions. Participants were grouped based on their specialization and knowledge level, and differences in responses among groups were examined.

RESULTS

Only 21.3% of the participants felt they had sufficient knowledge and experience about oral cancerous lesions. Overall, the correct answer rates indicated a moderate level of knowledge and experience. When grouped by specialization, oral surgeons had the highest accuracy in their responses (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Dentists are the professional group that most frequently encounters clinically oral cancerous lesions. Therefore, it is critically important for them to be knowledgeable and experienced to reduce morbidity and mortality through early diagnosis. This study evaluated the knowledge status of dentists in Turkey regarding oral cancer and highlighted the need for improved education.

Comparison of knowledge, awareness, and behaviors toward oral cancer among dental students and dentists: an online cross-sectional questionnaire in Türkiye

OBJECTIVE

This cross-sectional online questionnaire-based study evaluated the knowledge, awareness, and behaviors of dentists and senior dental students regarding oral cancer (OC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 168 dentists and senior dental students who had completed all theoretical educations and clinical practices. An online survey was administered to all participants to assess their awareness of the risk factors for OC, clinical knowledge, and behaviors. The participants' demographic characteristics and knowledge of OC were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the participants, 48.8% were female and 51.2% were male. Their mean age was 27.04 ± 5.56 years (range: 21-51). In addition, 59.5% were dentists, and 40.5% were senior dental students. The dentists' mean time since graduation was 6.38 ± 5.64 years (range: 1-27). Routine oral mucosa examination for OC was significantly more frequent among the dentists than the senior dental students (p < 0.05). Among all participants, 33% of dentists and 51.5% of senior dental students had poor knowledge of OC-related or possibly predisposing factors. Routine evaluation of OC-related and predisposing risk factors, including human papillomavirus infection, smoking, alcohol use, trauma-related non-healing oral lesions caused by long-term incompatible prostheses, and poor oral hygiene, was significantly more frequent among the dentists than the senior dental students (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Educating dental students about a more comprehensive oral examination and early diagnosis of OC would help overcome the current lack of adequate knowledge and attitudes in OC prevention and early detection. A core curriculum compatible with the global standards on OC should be provided to dental students.

Shikonin enhances chemosensitivity of oral cancer through β-catenin pathway

OBJECTIVES

This study concentrates on exploring the synergistic effect of shikonin on cisplatin against oral cancer.

METHODS

To analyze the IC50 value of shikonin, gradient concentrations of shikonin were added to the oral cancer cell culture medium. After the cisplatin-resistant cell line was established, the effects of cisplatin and shikonin on the survival rate, proliferation, apoptosis and related pathway protein expression of common/drug-resistant oral cancer cells were compared through MTT, clone formation, flow cytometry, and Western blot experiments. β-catenin, which had the most significant expression changes, was overexpressed and silenced, and used to design a reverse validation.

RESULTS

Shikonin inhibited the viability of oral cancer cells. Although cisplatin killed some cancer cells, its effect on drug-resistant cancer cells was significantly reduced. The addition of shikonin enhanced the sensitivity of drug-resistant cells to cisplatin. Shikonin regulated key proteins in cell proliferation and apoptosis-related pathways. Among them, shikonin generated the most evident inhibitory effect on β-catenin. Therefore, β-catenin overexpression plasmid/siβ-catenin was transfected into the cells. Silenced β-catenin was found to reinforce the damaging effect of cisplatin on cancer cells, and overexpressed β-catenin reversed the effect of shikonin.

CONCLUSION

By down-regulating β-catenin expression, shikonin improves the sensitivity of drug-resistant oral cancer cells to cisplatin.

Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Review of Pathology, Diagnosis, and Management

Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity presents a significant global health burden, primarily due to risk factors such as tobacco smoking, smokeless tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, and betel quid chewing. Common clinical manifestations of oral cavity cancer include visible lesions and sores, often accompanied by pain in advanced stages. Diagnosis relies on a comprehensive assessment involving detailed history, physical examination, and biopsy. Ancillary imaging studies and functional evaluations aid in accurate staging and facilitate treatment planning. Prognostic information is obtained from histopathological factors, such as tumor grade, depth of invasion, lymphovascular invasion, and perineural invasion. Notably, lymph node metastasis, found in approximately half of the patients, carries significant prognostic implications. Effective management necessitates a multidisciplinary approach to optimize patient outcomes. Surgical resection is the backbone of treatment, aimed at complete tumor removal while preserving functional outcomes. Adjuvant therapies, including radiation and chemotherapy, are tailored according to pathological factors. Further work in risk stratification and treatment is necessary to optimize outcomes in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity.

Assessing Oral Cancer Awareness Among Dental Students

The aim of this study was to assess oral cancer awareness among undergraduate dental students in Marmara University Faculty of Dentistry. A validated questionnaire which tested oral cancer awareness was given to third- and fifth-year students of the dental faculty of Marmara University. A total of 198 students participated in this survey. Knowledge of oral cancer risk factors and diagnosis procedures, dentistry student's attitude towards oral cancers, management practice regarding oral cancer, and oral cancer information sources were assessed using 25 questions. The data were analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics 22.0 program. Among 198 participant dentistry students, there were 99 (50%) third-grade and 99 (50%) fifth-grade students. The largest number of the third- and last-grade students identified tobacco (98%) and alcohol usage (87.4%), prior oral cancer lesions (94.9%), viral infections (91.9%), UV exposure (94.4%), betel quid chewing (84.8%), older age (62.1%), and low consumption of fruit and vegetables (85.4%). Both groups showed higher scores in indicating squamous cell carcinoma as the most common form of oral cancer (p < 0.05); yet, third-grade students performed significantly higher scores in indicating erythroplakia and leukoplakia for most likely to be precancerous (p = 0.001; p < 0.05). This study highlighted the importance of improved educational methods for dentistry on oral cancer detection and prevention.

Assessing Oral Cancer Awareness Among Dentists

The aim of this study was to assess oral cancer awareness among dentists who attended 101st FDI World Dental Congress, İstanbul, Turkey. Among 170 dentists who agreed to participate, there were 13 oral surgeons, 6 restorative dentists, 4 endodontists, 4 orthodontists, 6 periodontists, 5 pedodontists, and 14 prosthodontists. Knowledge of oral cancer risk factors and diagnosis procedures, dentists' attitude towards oral cancers, management practice regarding oral cancer, and oral cancer information sources were assessed using 25 questions. The data were analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics 22.0 program. Among 170 participant dentists, there were 69 (40.6%) male dentists and 101 (59.4%) female dentists. Largest number of them identified tobacco (98.8%) and alcohol usage (91.2%), prior oral cancer lesions (95.3%), viral infections (90.0%), UV exposure (86.5%), and betel quid chewing (80.6%), and lower numbers reported older age (56.5%) and low consumption of fruit and vegetables (52.4%). Oral medicine specialists scored marginally higher in indicating erythroplakia and leukoplakia most likely to be precancerous and squamous cell carcinoma as the most common form of oral cancer (p < 0.01). This study highlighted the importance of improved educational methods for dentists on oral cancer detection and prevention.