Focusing on the risk of periodontitis and associated cancers in the elderly population:new strategies from clinical early warning of periodontitis to cancer intervention
WANG Zuomin
Abstract：Objective This article examines the clinical association between periodontitis in the elderly population and the elevated risk of various cancers,providing a systematic elaboration from three perspectives:epidemiological characteristics,underlying biological mechanisms,and multidimensional prevention and treatment strategies.Current evidence indicates that periodontitis may contribute to carcinogenesis through mechanisms such as oral microbial translocation,chronic immune-inflammatory responses,activation of key signaling pathways(e.g.,NF-κB,Wnt/β-catenin,IL-6/STAT3),and epigenetic regulation.Based on these findings,this article advocates for the implementation of an integrated prevention and control strategy centered on oral health in the elderly population.The proposed strategy encompasses enhancing oral health literacy,establishing a cancer risk early warning system,promoting stepwise periodontal therapy,facilitating comprehensive management of systemic comorbidities,and strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration among departments of stomatology,oncology,and geriatrics.Such an approach offers a promising pathway for early intervention and holistic disease management in elderly cancer care.
Keywords：periodontitiselderly populationcancer riskoral microbiomemultidisciplinary collaboration
Publication Date：2026-01-20
Online Publishing Date：2026-02-04(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 1-6 )