Oral cancer is the sixth most common cancer.
The network aims to test the hypothesis that, in addition to problems in the epithelial cells that line the mouth, both inductive and carcinogen-induced alterations in stromal cell behaviour aslo occur during the process of field cancerisation. Orofacial clefting is one of the commonest human birth defects occurring in about one in 700 babies. Recent evidence that appropriate nutrition and environmental conditions can reduce the incidence of orofacial clefting provides one avenue for future research. Equally important is the genetic side with the ongoing search for candidate genes. The network will provide a forum to identify the most fruitful research strategies in these areas and the interaction between the two.