A link between the bacteria present in the mouth, and cancer of the esophagus

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Published the 04.12.2017 at 17h24

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Keywords :

cancer of the œsophagemicrobiote buccalbactérie

Esophageal cancer is the eighth cancer-the most common and sixth leading cause of cancer death in the world. This is explained by the fact that the disease is often discovered when it has reached an advanced stage. Survival rates at five years vary from about 15% to 25% in the world.
“The cancer of the esophagus is a lethal cancer, and there is an urgent need for new approaches to prevention, risk stratification and early detection,” according to the author of the study Mr. Ahn.
Earlier research had shown that gum disease, “periodontitis” or ” periodontal disease “, which is caused by certain germs present in the mouth (the e ” microbiota of mouth “), is associated with several types of cancer, including those of the mouth, head and neck.

Two bacteria of the microbiota in the mouth

Dr. Ahn and his colleagues have collected samples of cleaning oral of 122 000 participants. In 10 years of follow-up, 106 participants have developed cancer of the esophagus. Some types of bacteria are associated with a higher risk of cancer of the esophagus, according to study results published in Cancer Research.
For example, higher levels of the bacterium Tannerella forsythia have been associated with an increased risk of 21% of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. The bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis is associated with a higher risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. These two species are strongly involved in periodontal disease common.

The periodontitis is a risk factor

“Our study indicates that to learn more about the role of the microbiota in oral can potentially lead to strategies to prevent cancer of the esophagus, or at least to identify at earlier stages,” says Dr. Ahn. “The next step is to check if these bacteria could be used as predictive biomarkers “.
The study confirms that good dental and oral health, including daily brushing of teeth and regular visits to the dentist, is an important way to guard against the diseases of the gum and the growing list of health problems that are associated with it.