Publisher's Synopsis
Cancer of the oral and pharyngeal mucosae is a major public health problem in many parts of the world, and dental caries and periodontal diseases are almost universally prevalent. Nevertheless severe oral disease exists in only a minority of any population, and the three volumes comprising Risk Markers for Oral Diseases set out to characterise the at-risk groups and define markers by which they may be identified. Reviewing epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data, these volumes point the way towards improved diagnostic and prognostic testing, an exciting and rapidly expanding aspect of dentistry. Knowledge of the risk factors for oral cancer has lagged behind that for dental caries or periodontal diseases, and this volume provides a wide-ranging survey of the most promising fields of investigation. In addition to the well known aetiological role of tobacco and alcohol, leading research workers from both the dental and the basic sciences review the role of diet and nutrition, infective agents and immunological mechanisms in the genesis of oral cancer. The contribution of modern molecular and cell biology is authoritatively explored, and the scope for improved screening and prevention is an underlying theme throughout the book.
