Why Do People Who Have Never Used Tobacco Or Alcohol Get Oral Cancer?

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Why Do People Who Have Never Used Tobacco Or Alcohol Get Oral Cancer?

It is important to note that over 25% of all oral cancers occur in people who do not smoke or consume alcohol. Mechanism of development of cancer in these patients is largely unknown. Other mechanisms are postulated to be:

  • Immunosuppression
  • Mechanical irritation by sharp teeth, dentures etc.
  • Nutritional deficiencies
  • Infectious agents such as viruses (HPV)
  • Frequent use of alcohol containing mouthwashes
  • Dental infection (chronic periodontitis) has been reported and postulated to be important in the natural history of HPV infection and tongue cancer
  • Molecular and Genetic alteration: Certain molecular and genetic differences have been noted to be different from those found in cancer among smokers. These could be underlying mechanism for cancer in non-smokers and non-drinkers