The Periodontitis-Cancer Axis: Mechanisms, Evidence and Clinical Implications

For decades, periodontitis was viewed as a localized inflammatory condition causing tooth loss. Today, it is recognized as a profound systemic disruptor and a critical modifier in the global oncological landscape. The Periodontitis-Cancer Axis provides a comprehensive exploration of how chronic periodontal disease serves as a potent systemic driver for oncogenesis. This book meticulously unravels the complex interkingdom dysbiosis of the oral microbiome, detailing how keystone pathobionts like Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum translocate to distal organs. By examining the mechanisms of systemic inflammatory overflow, immune subversion, and epigenetic priming, this dissertation connects oral pathogenesis to aerodigestive, gastrointestinal, and hormone-sensitive malignancies, including oral, colorectal, pancreatic, and breast cancers. Bridging the critical gap between clinical periodontology and oncology, this text highlights the undeniable necessity of integrating periodontal management, advanced diagnostics, and targeted therapeutics into comprehensive cancer prevention protocols.