Relationship of smokeless tobacco uses in the perspective of oral cancer: A global burden
Smokeless tobacco (SLT) use represents a significant and often overlooked public health concern,
particularly in regions where cultural practices and societal norms endorse its consumption.
Despite misconceptions regarding its safety compared to smoked tobacco, ample evidence
suggests that SLT use is strongly associated with the development of oral cancer. This review
provides a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms underlying the carcinogenicity of
smokeless tobacco and its contribution to the etiology of oral cancer. Firstly, smokeless tobacco
products contain a diverse array of carcinogens, including tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs),
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals, and radioactive elements. These
substances exert genotoxic effects, inducing DNA damage, and disrupting cellular homeostasis
within the oral mucosa. Furthermore, the direct and prolonged contact between smokeless tobacco
and oral tissues facilitates the absorption of carcinogens, exacerbating their local carcinogenic
effects. Chronic exposure to smokeless tobacco also induces a state of chronic inflammation and
immunosuppression within the oral microenvironment, fostering a permissive milieu for
carcinogenesis. The mechanical trauma caused by chewing or holding smokeless tobacco products
can lead to the formation of pre-cancerous lesions, providing a fertile ground for malignant
transformation over time. Additionally, synergistic interactions between smokeless tobacco use
and other risk factors, such as alcohol consumption and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection,
further escalate the risk of oral cancer development. Despite the mounting evidence implicating
smokeless tobacco in oral cancer etiology, challenges persist in implementing effective preventive
measures and promoting tobacco cessation, particularly in regions where SLT use is deeply
ingrained in cultural traditions. Therefore, concerted efforts are needed to raise awareness about
the health risks associated with smokeless tobacco use, strengthen regulatory policies, and enhance
access to evidence-based cessation interventions. By addressing the multifaceted determinants of
smokeless tobacco-related oral cancer, we can strive towards reducing the burden of this
preventable disease and safeguarding public health on a global scale.
Keyword: Smokeless Tobacco, Oral Cancer, Global Burden etc
particularly in regions where cultural practices and societal norms endorse its consumption.
Despite misconceptions regarding its safety compared to smoked tobacco, ample evidence
suggests that SLT use is strongly associated with the development of oral cancer. This review
provides a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms underlying the carcinogenicity of
smokeless tobacco and its contribution to the etiology of oral cancer. Firstly, smokeless tobacco
products contain a diverse array of carcinogens, including tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs),
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals, and radioactive elements. These
substances exert genotoxic effects, inducing DNA damage, and disrupting cellular homeostasis
within the oral mucosa. Furthermore, the direct and prolonged contact between smokeless tobacco
and oral tissues facilitates the absorption of carcinogens, exacerbating their local carcinogenic
effects. Chronic exposure to smokeless tobacco also induces a state of chronic inflammation and
immunosuppression within the oral microenvironment, fostering a permissive milieu for
carcinogenesis. The mechanical trauma caused by chewing or holding smokeless tobacco products
can lead to the formation of pre-cancerous lesions, providing a fertile ground for malignant
transformation over time. Additionally, synergistic interactions between smokeless tobacco use
and other risk factors, such as alcohol consumption and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection,
further escalate the risk of oral cancer development. Despite the mounting evidence implicating
smokeless tobacco in oral cancer etiology, challenges persist in implementing effective preventive
measures and promoting tobacco cessation, particularly in regions where SLT use is deeply
ingrained in cultural traditions. Therefore, concerted efforts are needed to raise awareness about
the health risks associated with smokeless tobacco use, strengthen regulatory policies, and enhance
access to evidence-based cessation interventions. By addressing the multifaceted determinants of
smokeless tobacco-related oral cancer, we can strive towards reducing the burden of this
preventable disease and safeguarding public health on a global scale.
Keyword: Smokeless Tobacco, Oral Cancer, Global Burden etc