Highlights :
- There is a link between gum disease and esophageal and gastric cancer
- Nitrate causing bacteria and ‘red complex’ periodontal pathogens may be responsible for the link
- History of periodontal disease was associated with 43% and 52% increased risk of esophageal cancer and gastric cancer
Gum disease with periodontal disease history and tooth loss in people may put them at a higher risk of developing a few forms of cancer, according to the letter recently published in the journal Gut. Further studies are needed to identify specific bacteria responsible for this association.
What are the Results of the Study?
There were 199 cases of esophageal cancer and 238 cases of gastric cancer during 22-28 years of follow up.
History of periodontal disease was associated with 43%, and 52% increased risk of esophageal cancer and gastric cancer, respectively. People with tooth loss had higher chances of 42% and 33% of developing esophageal and gastric cancer, compared to people with no tooth loss.
Patients with a history of periodontal disease and no tooth loss or one or more lost teeth were found to have an equal increased risk of 59% of esophageal cancer when compared with no disease and no tooth loss patients.
What are the Possible Reasons for this Association?
Authors suggest possible connections between oral bacteria and esophageal and gastric cancer such as:
- Gram-negative bacteria such as Tannerella forsythia and Porphyromonasgingivalis are associated with risk of esophageal cancer. They are members of the ‘red complex’ of periodontal pathogens.
- Poor oral hygiene and periodontal disease can promote the formation of nitrosamines. These endogenous nitrosamines through nitrate causing bacteria are known to cause gastric cancer.
In summary, the study indicates a link to oral hygiene with cancer. The importance of oral microbiome is seen in esophageal and gastric cancer. However, this is an observational study, and no firm conclusions can be drawn regarding the cause and effect but a red flag has certainly been raised and the importance of oral hygiene is undoubtedly cannot be ignored.
Further, prospective studies would help understand the oral microbiome and identify specific bacteria responsible for the connection. These additional findings could help identify non-invasive biomarkers and help identify individuals who are at a higher risk for these cancers.