• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.6919-6922
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• 2015

Background: The treatment selection for the oral squamous cell carcinoma remains controversial. Radiation therapy or surgical excision of the lesion can be applied as the sole treatment or it can be used in combination with other treatment modalities. Radiotherapy is considered to be the safest of all the treatment modalities and can be used in several situations for oral and oropharyngeal cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the survival outcome differences in patients treated with radical and palliative radiotherapy as the primary treatment modality. Materials and Methods: The study included a total of 47 patients with oral cancer reporting to our hospital between years 2009 to 2010. The age group for the selected patients was more than 65 years, treated with radical and palliative radiotherapy with no prior surgical interventions. Patients were evaluated till Dec 2013 for overall survival time. Results: Twenty nine patients were treated with radical radiotherapy as main stay of treatment, out of which 21 died during the follow up time with median survival of $352{\pm}281.7$ days with 8 patients alive. All the 16 patients were dead who received palliative radiotherapy with a median survival time of $112{\pm}144.0$ days. Conclusions: This retrospective study showed improved overall survival time, loco regional control rates and reduced morbidity in patients treated with radical radiotherapy when compared to patients treated with palliative radiotherapy.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.108-115
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• 2019

Objectives: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a well-known side effect of certain drugs that are used to influence bone metabolism to treat osteometabolic disease or cancers. The purpose of our study was to investigate how high-concentration and low-concentration bisphosphonate (BP) intake affects the disease severity. Materials and Methods: Data collected from the medical records of 52 patients treated with BPs, antiresorptive, antiangiogenic drugs and diagnosed with MRONJ were included in this study. Age, sex, type of systemic disease, type of drug, duration of drug treatment, jaw area with MRONJ, drug administration protocol, and MRONJ clinical and radiological findings were obtained. Patients were divided into two groups: anti-neoplastic (Group I, n=23) and anti-osteoporotic (Group II, n=29). Statistical evaluations were performed using the IBM SPSS ver. 21.0 program. Results: In both groups, more females had MRONJ. MRONJ was found in the mandibles of 30 patients (Group I, n=14; Group II, n=16). When we classified patients according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons staging system, significant differences were seen between groups (${\chi}^2=12.23$, P<0.01). More patients with advanced stage (stage 2-3) MRONJ were found in Group I (60.9%). Conclusion: According to our results, high-concentration BP intake, age and duration of drug intake increased disease severity.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.41-48
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• 2022

Ulva compressa Linnaeus (UCL) is a green algae seaweed that performs photosynthesis and is used as a food material in some Asian regions including Korea. It is known to be the dominant species in copper ion-contaminated seas, and many studies on copper ion resistant mechanisms have been reported. UCL is known to have an excellent antioxidant effect, but limited information is available regarding its other physiological activities. In this study, we investigated the anticancer activity of 30% prethanol extracts of Ulva compressa Linnaeus (30% PeUCL) and the underlying mechanisms of its activity on human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. The 30% PeUCL extracts suppressed FaDu cell viability without affecting normal cells (L929), as determined by MTT and viability assays. Furthermore, the 30% PeUCL extracts induced apoptosis, as determined by DAPI staining. The 30% PeUCL extracts inhibited colony formation effectively as well as wound-healing of FaDu cells, even at noncytotoxic concentrations. In addition, 30% PeUCL extracts induced apoptosis significantly through proteolytic cleavage of caspase-3, -7, and -9, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, and by downregulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax in FaDu cells, as determined by Western blot analysis. Collectively, these results suggest that the inhibitory effect of 30% PeUCL extracts on the growth of oral cancer cells, colony formation and wound-healing may be mediated by caspase- and mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathways in human FaDu hypopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cells. Therefore, 30% PeUCL extracts can be administered as a natural chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of human oral cancers.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2023

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which accounts for approximately 90% of oral cancers, has a high rate of local recurrence and a poor prognosis despite improvements in treatment. Exosomes released from OSCC cells promote cell proliferation and metastasis. Although it is clear that the biogenesis of exosomes is mediated by the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery, the gene expression pattern of ESCRT, depending on the cell type, remains elusive. The exosomal release from the human OSCC cell lines, HSC-3 and HSC-4, and their corresponding gefitinib-resistant sub-cell lines, HSC-3/GR and HSC-4/GR, was assessed by western blot and flow cytometry. The levels of ESCRT machinery proteins, including Hrs, Tsg101, and Alix, and whole-cell ubiquitination were evaluated by western blot. We observed that the basal level of exosomal release was higher in HSC-3/GR and HSC-4/GR cells than in HSC-3 and HSC-4 cells, respectively. Long-term gefitinib exposure of each cell line and its corresponding gefitinib-resistant sub-cell line differentially induced the expression of the ESCRT machinery. Furthermore, whole-cell ubiquitination and autophagic flux were shown to be increased in gefitinib-treated HSC-3 and HSC-4 cells. Our data indicate that the expression patterns of the ESCRT machinery genes are differentially regulated by the characteristics of cells, such as intracellular energy metabolism. Therefore, the expression patterns of the ESCRT machinery should be considered as a key factor to improve the treatment strategy for OSCC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1135-1139
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• 2016

Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. Early detection is a key determinant of HNC prognosis. Hence, raising awareness of this disease may improve survival rates. The present study evaluated the level of awareness and screening status for HNC in the general population of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: An e-questionnaire was distributed during our HNC awareness campaign at the Red Sea Mall in Jeddah. The questions assessed HNC knowledge and screening status among participants. Results: Of the 112 respondents, 68% indicated that they had no knowledge of HNC. Social media was the major source of information (39%) for respondents. The majority (40%) believed that it was the joint responsibility of dentists, dental hygienists, and general physicians to screen for HNC; 82% had never been screened. Conclusions: Knowledge and awareness of HNC must be increased in the general population and among dental health professionals.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1953-1958
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• 2015

Background: In India, cancer accounts for 7.3% of DALY's, 14.3% of mortality with an age-standardized incident rate of 92.4/100,000 in men and 97.4/100,000 in women and yet there are no nationwide screening programs. Materials and Methods: We calculated age-standardized and age-truncated (30-69 years) detection rates for men and women who attended the Indian Cancer Society detection centre, New Delhi from 2011-12. All participants were registered with socio-demographic, medical, family and risk factors history questionnaires, administered clinical examinations to screen for breast, oral, gynecological and other cancers through a comprehensive physical examination and complete blood count. Patients with an abnormal clinical exam or blood result were referred to collaborating institutes for further investigations and follow-up. Results: A total of n=3503 were screened during 2011-12 (47.8% men, 51.6% women and 0.6% children <15 years) with a mean age of 47.8 yrs (${\pm}15.1yrs$); 80.5% were aged 30-69 years and 77.1% had at least a secondary education. Tobacco use was reported by 15.8%, alcohol consumption by 11.9% and family history of cancer by 9.9% of participants. Follow-up of suspicious cases yielded 45 incident cancers (51.1% in men, 48.9% in women), consisting of 55.5% head and neck (72.0% oral), 28.9% breast, 6.7% gynecological and 8.9% other cancer sites. The age-standardized detection rate for all cancer sites was 340.8/100,000 men and 329.8/100,000 women. Conclusions: Cancer screening centres are an effective means of attracting high-risk persons in low-resource settings. Opportunistic screening is one feasible pathway to address the rising cancer burden in urban India through early detection.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.5983-5991
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• 2014

Introduction: Upper aero-digestive tract cancer is a multidimensional problem, international trends showing complex rises and falls in incidence and mortality across the globe, with variation across different cultural and socio-economic groups. This paper seeks some explanations and identifies some research and policy needs. Methodological Approach: The literature illustrates the multifactorial nature of carcinogenesis. At the cellular level, it is viewed as a multistep process involving multiple mutations and selection for cells with progressively increasing capacity for proliferation, survival, invasion, and metastasis. Established and emerging risk factors, in addition to changes in incidence and prevalence of cancers of the upper aero-digestive tract, were identified. Risk Factors: Exposure to tobacco and alcohol, as well as diets inadequate in fresh fruits and vegetables, remain the major risk factors, with persistent infection by particular so-called "high risk" genotypes of human papillomavirus increasingly recognised as also playing an important role in a subset of cases, particularly for the oropharynx. Chronic trauma to oral mucosa from poor restorations and prostheses, in addition to poor oral hygiene with a consequent heavy microbial load in the mouth, are also emerging as significant risk factors. Conclusions: Understanding and quantifying the impact of individual risk factors for these cancers is vital for health decision-making, planning and prevention. National policies and programmes should be designed and implemented to control exposure to environmental risks, by legislation if necessary, and to raise awareness so that people are provided with the information and support they need to adopt healthy lifestyles.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.544-550
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• 2010

Purpose: The result of all malignant neoplasms including oral cancer is decided by long-term prognosis. However, until now, there are only a few reports about long-term prognosis of cancer secluded in the oral cavity. So, we investigated all patients that visited our clinic for oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCCa) for the last 10 years. From this survey, we hope to find important factors that influence prognosis of the disease. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study was performed for patients that visited the oral oncology clinic for oral cancers from Jan. 2001 to Feb. 2010. We selected the patients that were diagnosed with SCCa and received curative treatment. In these patients, we investigated basic epidemiology, smoking history, body mass index, recurrence rate, treatment methods, pathologic data and 5-yr survival rate. Results: There was a total of 185 patients (115 males, 70 females and mean age: 57.3 years) that visited the oral oncology clinic for oral SCCa. Areas of primary lesion were tongue (105 cases, 57%), lower gum (19 cases, 10%), floor of mouth (16 caess, 8%), retromolar trigone (12 cases, 6.5%), and buccal cheek (11 cases, 6%). Other involved areas were upper gum, palate, lip, and salivary glands-of 1 case each. The overall 5-year survival rate was 63.7%. The factors that influenced prognosis of the disease were stage of the disease, status of differentiation, recurrence, metastasis of cervical lymph node and age. Conclusion: The factors that influence prognosis of disease are stage of the disease, status of differentiation, recurrence, metastasis of cervical lymph node and age. To point out a current trend, the mean age of patients that developed oral cancer was lower than that of before. Secondly, the prevalence of oral cancer in non-smoker are on the rise. Thus, further studies on etiology and epidemiology should be done.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.519-525
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• 2016

Background: The objective of this study was to report the types and relative frequency of oral malignancies and precancer in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia during the period 2009-2014. Materials and Methods: Pathology reports were retrieved from the archives of Histopathology Department, King Fahd hospital in Jazan. Demographic data on tobacco habits, clinical presentation and histologic grading of oral precancer and cancer cases were transcribed from the files. Results: 303 (42.7%) oral pre-malignant and malignant cases were found out of 714 oral biopsy lesions. A pathology diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma (85.1%) was most frequent, followed by premalignant lesions/epithelial dysplasia (8.6%), verrucous carcinoma (3.3%) and malignancy of other histological types (3%) such as ameloblastic carcinoma, salivary gland malignancy and sarcomas. Oral squamous cell carcinoma was predominant in females with a male to female ratio of 1:1.9. Patient age ranged from 22 to 100 years with a mean of $65{\pm}13.9$. Almost 44.6% of oral cancer had occurred after 65 years of age. Only 16.3% cases were reported in patients younger than 50 years, predominantly females. The majority of female patients had the habit of using shammah with a long duration of usage for more than 45 years. Buccoalveolar mucosa (52.3%) was the common site of involvement followed by tongue/floor of the mouth (47.7%) and clinically presented mostly as ulceration/swelling clinically. Moderately differentiated tumours (53.9%) were common followed by well differentiated (32.2%) and poorly differentiated tumours (5.8%). The prevalence of oral verrucous carcinoma (3.3%) was comparatively low with an equal distribution in both males and females. Both bucco-alveolar mucosa and tongue were predominantly affected. Oral precancer/epithelial dysplasia (8.6%) was common in females with a shammah habit. Bucco-alveolar mucosa was commonly involved and clinically presented mostly as white/red patches. Most cases were mild followed by moderate and severe dysplasia. Tumours of other histological types (3%) include 1 ameloblastic carcinoma, 3 malignant salivary gland tumours and 5 sarcomas. Conclusions: In this study, it was found that oral cancers reported in the pathology service to be a common occurrence. This study reconfirms previous reports of the high burden of oral cancer in this population This indicates that conventional preventive programs focused on oral cancer are in need of revision. In addition, further research into identifying new risk factors and molecular markers for oral cancer are needed for screening high risk individuals.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.376-379
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• 2009

Likely to be the most common oral cancer, squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) of the tongue accounts for about 20% of all oral and pharyngeal cancers. SCC of the tongue frequently arises in the lateral border, and if it metastasize, it occurs on submandibular gland and neck lymph nodes. Location of the primary lesions and neck lymph node metastasis affect the prognosis and decrease survival rate of patients with carcinoma of the tongue. The authors experienced the patient with contralateral neck lymph node metastasis of SCC of the tongue. The patient came to our department with chief complaint of elevated lesion on left lateral border of the tongue. The mass was diagnosed as $T_2N_0M_0$, Stage II invasive SCC of oral tongue. Computed tomography(CT) & magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) which were taken before the operation showed no significant finding of metastasis. Surgical mass removal and preventive neck dissection on the left side were done. While follow up PET/CT, contralateral neck lymph node metastasis(right side, level II) was detected, and re-operation(Rt. side RND) was done. There are few studies concerning the contralateral neck lymph node metastasis related with SCC of the tongue. The purpose of this report is to introduce the uncommon case of contralateral neck lymph node metastasis occurred in the $T_2$-stage of SCC of the tongue treated by surgical resection.