The role of vegetable and fruit consumption and other habits on survival following the diagnosis of oral cancer: a prospective study in Spain

A selection of abstracts of clinically relevant papers from other journals. The abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by John R. Radford.

Abstract

Consumption of vegetables may improve treatment outcome in those with oral cancer.

Main

Sandoval M, Font R et al. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2009; 38: 31–39

In 146 patients that were receiving treatment for oral cancer, 'survival curves were compared with the log-rank tests' to explore the role of dietary features, life-style habits and other factors on recurrence and survival. Despite the authors conceding there was a lack of statistical power, recall biases with oncological diseases and other confounders, the consumption of 'vegetables before and after diagnosis were both associated with lower recurrence rates and longer overall survival'. However, those that gave up tobacco and alcohol did not have statistically significantly better outcomes. Amongst other factors, patients who presented with pharyngeal pain had a better prognosis than those with cervical lymph node enlargement.