Risk Factors For Oral Cancer : Revisited

Oral cancer has always been the subject of interest because of its varied presentation and association with a wide array of etiological factors. Oral cancer when spoken in context to Oral Squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a big medical issue in countries like India, many parts of Asia, United States of America and Europe. The differences in the cultural, habitual, lifestyle factors in various parts of the world make oral cancer a difficult disease to be understood and cured owing to its multifactorial etiology. Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the sixth most common malignancy worldwide and encompasses at least 90% of all oral Cancers. OSCC is associated with severe disease and treatmentrelated morbidity and is often reported as having high rates of recurrence and poor disease-free survival despite advances in cancer treatment. Though oral cancer has multifaceted etiology, the use of tobacco is considered to be widely accepted as the major risk factor. Other Risk factors include alcohol abuse, age, sunlight, dental factors, viral etiology, genetic factors, dietary factors, use of mouthwashes and lifestyle modifications.