Saliva in Balancing Oral and Systemic Health, Oral Cancer, and Beyond: A Narrative Review
2024
The Role of Saliva in Oral and Systemic Health and Cancer
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Okuyama Kohei, Yanamoto Souichi
Primary Institution: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Hypothesis
Saliva plays a multifaceted role in oral health and systemic well-being, including its potential impact on oral cancer.
Conclusion
Saliva has protective effects against oral cancer but may also promote tumor progression and metastasis through various mechanisms.
Supporting Evidence
- Saliva supports digestion and protects oral tissues.
- Saliva can serve as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for systemic health.
- Saliva contains components that may inhibit or promote cancer progression.
Takeaway
Saliva helps keep our mouths healthy and can even show if someone is sick, but it can also help cancer grow if someone already has it.
Methodology
This review summarizes the biological functions of saliva and its relationship with head and neck cancer.
Limitations
The review does not provide new experimental data and relies on existing literature.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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