Sexual behaviours and oral cancer risk

The treatment effects seemed more pronounced in women, young people and first attempters of suicide.

20 studies reporting 21 data sets were included in this review of the association of sexual behaviours and oral and oropharyngeal cancers. The review suggests that some sexual behaviours increase risk but the quality of the evidence is limited and quantitative estimates of the strength of these associations are not reliable.

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Burning mouth syndrome: limited evidence for treatments

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Twenty two RCTs were identified for this review of treatments for burning mouth syndrome. A broad range of therapies were included but they provide limited evidence to support or refute the therapies. More high quality appropriately powered are studies are needed using standard outcomes measures.

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Burning mouth syndrome: insufficient evidence for effectiveness of current treatments

Depression

This update of a 2005 Cochrane review identified 23 RCTs but a limited number at low risk of bias so there is insufficient evidence to support or refute the use of any interventions in managing burning mouth syndrome.

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Oral leukoplakia: very limited evidence for treatments

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The aim of this Cochrane review was to assess the effectiveness, safety and acceptability of treatments for oral leukoplakia in preventing oral cancer.

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Study finds better oral hygiene improved oral lichen planus

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This small randomised trial found improvements in quality of life for patients with oral lichen planus at both 4 weeks and 20 weeks following implementation of a structured oral hygiene instruction.

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Oral Cancer diagnosis: biopsy and histology still best method

herpetic ulcer on tongue

This Cochrane review of adjunctive diagnostic tests for oral cancer included 41 studies assessing vital staining, cytology, and light-based tests. The available studies were of poor quality detection with none of the tests being considered as a replacement for the currently used standard of a scalpel biopsy and histological assessment.

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Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw treatments

bisphosphonate

97 papers describing 4879 cases of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis were included in this review. A wide range of management approaches were identified but the quality of the available evidence is limited.

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Avascular necrosis of the jaws (BRONJ): risk and incidence low in the UK

bisphosphonate

This 2 year long prospective study of new cases of BRONJ presenting at oral surgery, oral medicine, oral and maxillofacial surgery units, and dental hospitals provides a rough estimate of 508–793 new cases/year across the UK.

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Photodynamic therapy: review finds insufficient evidence of its effectiveness for oral premalignant lesions

iStock_000001604217XSmall dental laser

This review of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for oral premalignant lesions only identified a small number of poor quality studies that provide insufficient evidence for the effectiveness of PDT for the management of oral premalignant lesions.

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Low level laser therapy: review suggests it reduces mucositis in patients undergoing cancer treatment

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A 2011 Cochrane review found weak evidence from 5 studies that low energy laser therapy (LLLT) may be beneficial in preventing severe mucositis. This new review included 18 studies and found that low level laser therapy reduced overall risk of severe mucositis.

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