UCL-Eastman, 256 Gray's Inn Road, London, WC1X 8LD. UK.
Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2011 May 1;16(3):e306-11. doi: 10.4317/medoral.16.e306.
Oral cancer appears to be increasing in incidence, and mortality has hardly improved over the past 25 years. Better understanding of the aetiopathogenesis should lead to more accurate and earlier diagnosis and more effective treatments with fewer adverse effects. Cancer is the result of DNA mutations arising spontaneously and from the action of various mutagens, especially in tobacco and alcohol. A sequence of genetic changes leads eventually to loss of growth control and autonomy. Countering these changes are mechanisms to metabolise carcinogens, repair DNA damage, control growth, and defend against cancer. Cancer is a consequence of an interaction of these many factors. Diagnosis is increasingly aided by detection of cellular and now molecular changes. Treatment is increasingly looking towards chemotherapy and now gene therapy. However, there is no doubt that prevention is the most important aspect, particularly patient education and the reduction of lifestyle risk habits and environmental factors.
口腔癌的发病率似乎在上升，而过去 25 年来，其死亡率几乎没有改善。更好地了解病因发病机制，应该能够实现更准确、更早的诊断，并提供更有效的治疗方法，同时减少不良反应。癌症是由于 DNA 突变自发产生和各种诱变剂（尤其是烟草和酒精）作用的结果。一系列遗传变化最终导致生长失控和自主性丧失。对抗这些变化的是代谢致癌物、修复 DNA 损伤、控制生长和预防癌症的机制。癌症是这些多种因素相互作用的结果。通过检测细胞甚至现在的分子变化，诊断越来越得到辅助。治疗越来越倾向于化疗，现在是基因治疗。然而，毫无疑问，预防是最重要的方面，特别是患者教育以及减少生活方式风险习惯和环境因素。
