Oral Cancer and Hepatitis C
The Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI) recently found that individuals infected with the hepatitis C virus are two to five times more likely to develop head and neck cancers. The JNCI study found that the risk for hepatitis C patients of developing head and neck cancers more than doubled for oral cavity and oropharynx cancers, and increased nearly five times for larynx cancers. As well, patients that are hepatitis C virus-positive were also more likely to test positive for human papillomavirus (HPV).
The question remains, how does hepatitis C virus increase oral cancer risk?
The JNCI research found that patients infected with the hepatitis C virus had a higher odd ratio of having cancer of the oral cavity, oropharynx, or larynx than those without hepatitis C virus infection. Enhanced replication of hepatitis C virus in oropharyngeal tissues may in fact contribute to chronic inflammation, ultimately prompting cancer development. Human papillomavirus is known to suppress local immune response, which may accelerate the production of hepatitis C virus in oropharyngeal cells. The JNCI notes that human papillomavirus and hepatitis C virus may play a “synergistic role” in the development of oropharyngeal cancers by stimulating loss or destruction of tumor suppressor proteins p53 and retinoblastoma protein.
The JNCI notes that one of the study’s limitations is that it didn’t include individuals with hepatitis C virus who didn’t have oral cancer. All and all, it is important to take away from The Journal of the National Cancer Institute’s study that it is important to educate Hepatology (study of liver, gallbladder and pancreas health) and infectious disease specialists. These doctors who treat patients with hepatitis C virus need to understand that the hepatitis C virus not only drastically affect liver health, but it’s also a systemic infection that can drastically affect oral health.
Your oral health is important to us. If you suspect that your oral health is at risk, give Center for Oral & Dental Implant Surgery a call today and schedule an oral cancer screening!
Ugonjwa wa kansa ya mdomo na ugonjwa wa ini C (Ugonjwa wa Ugonjwa wa Mdomo na Ugonjwa wa Mdomo C) ni ugonjwa wa kawaida wa kansa ya kichwa na shingo. Utafiti wa JNCI uligundua kuwa hatari ya wagonjwa wa hepatitis C ya kuambukizwa saratani ya kichwa na shingo iliongezeka zaidi ya mara mbili kwa saratani ya mdomo na oropharynx, na iliongezeka karibu mara tano kwa saratani ya larynx. Kwa upande mwingine, wagonjwa walio na virusi vya hepatitis C wana uwezekano mkubwa wa kupata virusi vya papillomavirus. Swali linabaki, virusi vya hepatitis C huongezaje hatari ya kansa ya mdomo? Utafiti wa JNCU uligundua kuwa wagonjwa walioambukizwa virusi vya hepatitis C walikuwa na uwiano wa juu wa kuwa na saratani ya mdomo, oropharynx, au larynx kuliko wale wasio na maambukizi ya virusi vya hepatitis C. Kuongezeka kwa virusi vya hepatitis C katika tishu za mdomo na shingo kwaweza kusababisha uvimbe wa muda mrefu, na hatimaye kusababisha kansa. Virusi vya papillomavirus ya binadamu vinajulikana kukandamiza majibu ya kinga ya mahali hapo, ambayo inaweza kuharakisha uzalishaji wa virusi vya hepatitis C katika seli za oropharyngeal. JNCI inasema kwamba virusi vya papillomavirus ya binadamu na virusi vya hepatitis C vinaweza kucheza jukumu la synergistic katika maendeleo ya saratani ya oropharyngeal kwa kuchochea upotezaji au uharibifu wa protini za suppressor ya uvimbe (p53 na protini ya retinoblastoma). JNCI inasema kuwa moja ya mapungufu ya utafiti huo ni kwamba haikujumuisha watu walio na virusi vya hepatitis C ambao hawakuwa na kansa ya mdomo. Kwa ujumla, ni muhimu kuchukua mbali kutoka kwa utafiti wa Jarida la Taasisi ya Kitaifa ya Saratani kwamba ni muhimu kuelimisha Hepatolojia (mafunzo ya ini, gallbladder na afya ya kongosho) na wataalamu wa magonjwa ya kuambukiza. Madaktari wanaotunza wagonjwa wa virusi vya hepatitis C wanahitaji kuelewa kwamba virusi vya hepatitis C sio tu huathiri sana afya ya ini, lakini pia ni maambukizi ya mfumo ambayo yanaweza kuathiri sana afya ya mdomo. Afya yako ya mdomo ni muhimu kwetu. Kama una shaka kwamba afya yako ya mdomo iko hatarini, piga simu Kituo cha Upasuaji wa Implant ya Mdomo na Meno leo na kupanga uchunguzi wa kansa ya mdomo!