O194 Alcohol in saliva related to the anatomical site of oral carcinoma
Introduction: Alcohol is responsible for the development of cancer in the areas of the oral cavity that function as a salivary reservoir (floor of the mouth, retromolar area, tongue and mandibular gingiva). Methods: Thirty volunteers participated in evaluating salivary alcohol concentrations in the floor of the mouth ("reservoir" area), upper anterior vestibule and palate ("non-reservoir" areas) at determined minute intervals following consumption of 150 ml of whiskey. Salivary alcohol levels were evaluated using Q.E.D. Saliva Alcohol Test (Enzymatics, Inc.). Results: The highest concentration of alcohol was found in the floor of the mouth, i.e. the mouth reservoir. The duration of direct effect of alcohol following a single consumption is approximately 20 minutes, while the effect of saliva excreted alcohol in the floor of the mouth lasts approximately 7.7 hours. Discussion: The localisation of the higher concentrations of direct alcohol and alcohol excreted in saliva are in correlation with typical localisations of oral cavity cancer, therefore alcohol may be considered cancerogenic. The carcinogenic effect of alcohol on the oral cavity mucosa is a result of prolonged effect of alcohol excreted in saliva and not through the contact of high concentrations of alcohol following alcoholic beverage consumption.