OBJECTIVES: Human papillomavirus (HPV) in oral carcinoma (OSCC) and potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) is controversial. The primary aim was to calculate pooled risk estimates for the association of HPV with OSCC and OPMD when compared with healthy oral mucosa as controls. We also examined the effects of sampling techniques on HPV detection rates. METHODS: Systematic review was performed using PubMed (January 1966-September 2010 and EMBASE (January 1990-September 2010. Eligible studies included randomized controlled, cohort and cross-sectional studies. Pooled data were analysed by calculating odds ratios, using a random effects model. Risk of bias was based on characteristics of study group, appropriateness of the control group and prospective design. RESULTS: Of the 1121 publications identified, 39 crosssectional studies met the inclusion criteria. Collectively, 1885 cases and 2248 controls of OSCC and 956 cases and 675 controls of OPMD were available for analysis. Significant association was found between pooled HPV-DNA detection and OSCC (OR = 3.98; 95% CI: 2.62-6.02) and even for HPV16 only (OR = 3.86; 95% CI: 2.16-6.86). HPV was also associated with OPMD (OR = 3.87; 95% CI: 2.87-5.21). In a subgroup analysis of OPMD, HPV was also associated with oral leukoplakia (OR = 4.03; 95% CI: 2.34-6.92), oral lichen planus (OR = 5.12; 95% CI: 2.40-10.93), and epithelial dysplasia (OR = 5.10; 95% CI: 2.03-12.80). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest a potentially important causal association between HPV and OSCC and OPMD.

Salivary gland hypofunction and xerostomia are induced by radiotherapy in the head and neck region depending on the cumulative radiation dose to the gland tissue. Treatment focus should be on optimized/new approaches to further reduce the dose to the parotids, and particularly submandibular and minor salivary glands, as these glands are major contributors to moistening of oral tissues. Other cancer treatments also induce salivary gland hypofunction, although to a lesser severity, and in the case of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, the adverse effect is temporary. Fields of sparse literature included pediatric cancer populations, cancer chemotherapy, radioactive iodine treatment, total body irradiation/hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and immunotherapy.

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There is evidence that salivary gland hypofunction and xerostomia induced by cancer therapies can be prevented or symptoms be minimized to some degree, depending on the type of cancer treatment. Management guideline recommendations are provided for IMRT, amifostine, muscarinic agonist stimulation, oral mucosal lubricants, acupuncture, and submandibular gland transfer. Fields of sparse literature identified included effects of gustatory and masticatory stimulation, specific oral mucosal lubricant formulas, submandibular gland transfer, acupuncture, hyperbaric oxygen treatment, management strategies in pediatric cancer populations, and the economic consequences of salivary gland hypofunction and xerostomia.

The foundations that underpin the value of personal care from the patients' perspective could be based on categories found in this study.