Genetic Test And Mouth Cancer

A new gene test may be able to detect precancerous cells in patients with begin looking mouth lesions according to a study published in the International Journal of Cancer . Researchers used a special diagnostic test to analyze head and neck specimens from 229 patients in the United Kingdom. The genetic test they performed is less invasive than standard methods which require a 1-2mm tissue specimen , also the genetic results are available in a much shorter time . The study showed that the genetic test had a cancer detection rate of 94% in the specimens that were used for the tissue samples. The study is groundbreaking in the fact that it allows the release patients with harmless lesions and with out the unnecessary anxiety of waiting a week for the lab biopsy results.

Your Breath and Cancer

A study published in October 2012 shows that what is in your breath may be helpful in distinguishing between benign and malignat lung cancer . The reseachers analyzed the exhaled volatile organic compounds form patients who had pulomonary nodeules then underwent resection of the nodule for final diagnosis . The technique not only ewas able to distinguish between benign and malignat nodules but could differentiate between adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma , in addition the test could determine if the lesion was early or late stage.The conclusion was that in the future clinicians could use exhaled breath test to descriminate between benign and malignate nodules and reduce the rate of false positives detected by x-ray. In addition this procedure could minimize thew risk of morbidity related to invasive diagnostic procedures as well.

Laser Treatment And Gum Disease

A new study printed in the Journal of Lasers in Medical Science , November 2012 shows that laser treatment can significantly improve the clinical results when used as a adjunct to scaling and root planning . The study looked a t 30 adults with some form of gum disease and had at least 14 teeth in their mouth . The test group had used only a diode laser that had a wavelength of 940-nm. The results concluded that although the type of laser used will affect the results , laser therapy will if used properly improve the outcomes for non-surgical approaches for the treatment of gum disease.

CDC:Half of U.S. Adults Have Periodontal Disease

The finding of a survey from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control(CDC)show that one out of every two American adults age 30 or older has periodontal disease. The data indicates that 47 % or 64.7 million American adults have some form of periodontal disease . In adults older than age 65 , prevalence rates increase to 70%. The survey included a full-mouth periodontal examination because periodontal disease is very site specific , meaning not every tooth has the disease at the same time. The data show the disease is higher in men(54%) than women(38%) and is highest in Mexican-Americans(66%) . The next highest was current smokers(64%) , those living below the federal poverty level(65%) and those with less than a high school education(66%).Periodontal disease is associated with age , and as Americans live longer and retain more of therir natural teeth , periodontal disease may take on a more prominent role in the oral health of the U.S. population.

BP Drugs And Lip Cancer

Long term use of commonly prescribed blood pressure medications is associated with an increased risk of lip cancer in non-Hispanic whites , according to a new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine . The study of 23,000 non-Hispanic whites that were using diuretic hydrochlorothiazide with or with out triamterene , lisinopril , nifedipine or atenolol ....the results showed that the risk for developing squamous cell lip cancer was higher among those who received all except the drug atenolol for long-term use.The study concluded that although lip cancer is rare an increased risk of developing it is generally outweighed by the benefit of these blood pressure drugs. Physicians who are prescribing these photosensitizing drugs should be aware of the patients risk for developing skin cancer by virture of fair skin , long term sun exposure and the ability to discuss lip protection .