Researchers at NYU and UCSF Develop a Framework for Monitoring Oral Cancer

the Oncology Nurse Advisor take:

Researchers at New York University College of Dentistry and at University of California San Francisco are investigating a potential association between oral cancers and chronic microbial diseases of the oral cavity. The worldwide incidence of oral cancer is increasing, with an estimated 350,000-400,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Oral cancer has one of the lowest 5-year survival rate of the major cancers. This increased incidence cannot be explained by tobacco and alcohol use alone. The researchers profiled cancers and anatomically matched contralateral normal tissue from the same patient by sequencing 16S rDNA hypervariable region amplicons. The study findings are the beginning of a framework for monitoring oral cancer development, progression, and recurrence.