International Agency for Research on Cancer

About: International Agency for Research on Cancer is a government organization based out in Lyon, France. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Cancer & Population. The organization has 2989 authors who have published 9010 publications receiving 929752 citations. The organization is also known as: IARC.

Epidemiology of cancer from the oral cavity and oropharynx

Abstract: The classification of sites in tumors of the oral cavity, oropharynx, pharynx, and hypopharynx varies in the literature. More than 90% of these tumors of the mucosal lining are classified as squamous cell carcinoma developed from premalignant lesions such as leukoplakia and erythroleukoplakia. These carcinomas are associated to environmental and lifestyle risk factors, among which tobacco and alcohol play a major role. In addition to tobacco smoking, tobacco chewing is another risk factor as well as chewing betel quid and areca nut in Asia. Certain strains of virus, such as the sexually transmitted human papilloma virus, also play a carcinogenetic role. The temporal trends in incidence of these tumors relate to environmental factors; there is an increase in tendency in countries without prevention and a decrease in countries having an active policy of prevention of alcohol and tobacco consumption. In contrast, an increased incidence occurs in the world at tumor sites related to human papilloma virus infection in relation to changes in sexual habits.

A collaborative study for the evaluation of a serologic test for primary liver cancer

Abstract: Sera from 813 patients were examined independently by 3 test centers for the presence of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). The sera were collected at 5 different African centers and 2 non-African centers. There was disagreement in the serologic results among the 3 test laboratories in only 27, or 3.3%, of cases. A clinical and/or histologic diagnosis of primary liver cancer had been made in 231 of the cases in which there was serologic agreement, and 151, or 65.4%, of these were positive for AFP. If only those cases with histologic confirmation of liver cell cancer were included, the percentage of cases with AFP increases to 75%. Analysis of the results from each collection center has been made, and the basis for “false-positives” and serologic disagreements is discussed. The test has proven to be highly specific for primary liver cell cancer and may be used with advantage in differential diagnosis of this disease and in epidemiologic studies.

Global oral health inequalities in incidence and outcomes for oral cancer: causes and solutions.

Abstract: The mouth and oropharynx are among the ten most common sites affected by cancer worldwide, but global incidence varies widely. Five-year survival rates exceed 50% in only the best treatment centers. Causes are predominantly lifestyle-related: Tobacco, areca nut, alcohol, poor diet, viral infections, and pollution are all important etiological factors. Oral cancer is a disease of the poor and dispossessed, and reducing social inequalities requires national policies co-ordinated with wider health and social initiatives - the common risk factor approach: control of the environment; safe water; adequate food; public and professional education about early signs and symptoms; early diagnosis and intervention; evidence-based treatments appropriate to available resources; and thoughtful rehabilitation and palliative care. Reductions in inequalities, both within and between countries, are more likely to accrue from the application of existing knowledge in a whole-of-society approach. Basic research aimed at determining individual predisposition and acquired genetic determinants of carcinogenesis and tumor progression, thus allowing for targeted therapies, should be pursued opportunistically.