Researchers in San Diego California have found 231 genes that are associated with head and neck cancer (also known as oral cancer). Head and neck cancer encompasses "cancers of the mouth, nose, sinuses, salivary glands, throat and lymph nodes in the neck". About 55,000 new cases of head and neck cancer will be diagnosed this year alone, and 13,000 of those diagnosed will die as a result of the cancer. Previously, only 33 genes were associated with head and neck cancer. This finding is huge in the development for possible treatments of head and neck cancer. It provides about 200 new genes that can be used as target genes for some type of medication.
All of these new genes can be used along side a new molecular strategy for detection of cancer - DNA Methylation. "DNA methylation is a type of chemical modification of DNA where a methyl group (CH3) can be added (hypermethylation) or removed (hypomethylation) – allows the researchers to look for genetic abnormalities within tumor samples." With DNA methylization researchers will be able to turn on silenced genes and off certain genes that are causing cancers. This is a powerful new tool which will be able to make huge breakthroughs in the field of cancer diagnosis and treatment.
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