Dear Oral Cancer & Diagnostics Insider,
In a fitting story to highlight Oral Cancer Awareness Month, a Texas dentist who specializes in oncology has seen his practice expand rapidly over the last two years, as more and more cancer patients struggle with the oral side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
In this latest Insider Exclusive, read why many dentists opt not to work with these patients and what medical issues must be considered when treating this patient population.
In other Oral Cancer & Diagnostics Community news, oral cancer survivor Gruen von Behrens -- who lost much of his tongue, neck muscles, lymph nodes, and all of his teeth after developing squamous cell carcinoma from chewing tobacco -- has made it his life's mission to educate others about the dangers of "dipping." Most recently he testified at a Maryland legislative hearing to urge lawmakers to increase the tobacco tax on cigars and smokeless tobacco to 70%. Read more.
In a related story, researchers at the Masonic Cancer Center of the University of Minnesota have identified a chemical in smokeless tobacco products that is linked to the occurrence of oral cancer. Click here to read about the study, which could help inform regulatory decisions about tobacco products.
Meanwhile, renowned chef Grant Achatz has reached an undisclosed settlement with the Chicago dental clinic he sued after being diagnosed with advanced tongue cancer. Read about the clinical trial he took part in that helped him avoid having parts of his tongue removed.
In related news, wider surgical margins for early tongue tumors might reduce local recurrence and improve survival for most T1 and T2 oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma tumors, according to a new study in the Journal of Laryngology & Otology.
And a new Mayo Clinic study demonstrated that robotic surgery conducted through patients' mouths provides excellent results in removing squamous cell carcinoma at the back of the throat, especially in patients with HPV. Click here to read about the procedure, which preserves patients' abilities to swallow and speak.
In other news, while the American Academy of Pediatrics already recommends that young girls be vaccinated for HPV, the academy now says boys 11 years and older should also receive the vaccine. Read about research that supports the suggestion.
And toluidine blue (TBlue) is a useful adjunct to visual examination in the detection of oral cancer, but its sensitivity is low when used to detect oral epithelial dysplasia, according to a new study by a team of British researchers.
Also, the antidiabetic drug Metformin may protect against oral cancer, according to a study from the National Institute of Health's Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Read more.
Finally, a naturally occurring human virus found in the lungs and gastrointestinal tract may boost the effects of two standard chemotherapy drugs in some cancer patients, according to research conducted by the Institute of Cancer Research.
