Dental Health Linked to Improved Survival in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

A recent multinational study has unveiled compelling links between dental health and survival rates among individuals diagnosed with head and neck cancer. The research, conducted in collaboration with the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology (INHANCE) consortium, suggests that better oral health, as measured by the number of natural teeth and dental visits prior to diagnosis, is associated with increased survival.

Early Detection and Improved Survival

One of the most significant findings of this study, led by researchers at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, UNC Adams School of Dentistry in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, is that individuals who had more frequent dental visits were more likely to have their cancer detected at an earlier and less lethal stage compared to those with fewer or no dental visits.

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Head and neck cancer patients were asked to self-report aspects of their oral health and hygiene, including gum bleeding, tooth brushing frequency, mouthwash use, the number of natural teeth, and the frequency of dental visits during the decade preceding their cancer diagnosis.

Key findings include:

• Individuals with more than five dental visits in the reported decade had higher overall survival rates at five and ten years (74% and 60%, respectively) compared to those with no dental visits (54% at five years and 32% at ten years).
• This trend was most prominent among patients with oropharyngeal cancer, affecting the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue, tonsils, and soft palate.
• Having no natural teeth was associated with a 15% lower five-year overall survival rate compared to those with more than 20 natural teeth.
• Survival differences of less than 5% were found for patient-reported gum bleeding, tooth brushing, and mouthwash use, which were not considered statistically significant.

Significance of the Findings

While advancements in treatment have led to improved survival rates over the years, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains the sixth most common cancer worldwide and accounts for approximately 4% of all cancers in the United States. Known environmental risk factors for the disease include tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and testing positive for the human papillomavirus (HPV).

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Carole Fakhry, MD, MPH, the Charles W. Cummings MD Professor of Otolaryngology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, who was not involved in the research, emphasized the significance of the findings. She noted that the study highlights the interplay between oral health and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and its impact on overall survival. Dr. Fakhry suggested that these findings may guide future prevention efforts for these types of cancers.

The research team hopes that these findings will become an integral part of guidelines for the prevention and management of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas in the near future, further emphasising the importance of maintaining good oral health in overall well-being.

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