Oral cancer
For patient information click here
| Oral cancer | |
| ICD-10 | C00-C06 |
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| ICD-9 | 140-146 |
| DiseasesDB | 9288 |
| MeSH | D009959 |
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Oral cancer Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Oral cancer On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Oral cancer |
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Overview
Historical Perspective
Pathophysiology
Epidemiology & Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Causes
Differentiating Oral cancer
Complications & Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Staging | Laboratory tests | Electrocardiogram | X Rays | CT | MRI Echocardiography or Ultrasound | Other images | Alternative diagnostics
Treatment
Medical therapy | Surgical options | Primary prevention | Secondary prevention | Financial costs | Future therapies
Treatment
Surgical excision (removal) of the tumor is usually recommended if the tumor is small enough, and if surgery is likely to result in a functionally satisfactory result. Radiation therapy is often used in conjunction with surgery, or as the definitive radical treatment, especially if the tumour is inoperable.
Owing to the vital nature of the structures in the head and neck area, surgery for larger cancers is technically demanding. Reconstructive surgery may be required to give an acceptable cosmetic and functional result. Bone grafts and surgical flaps such as the radial forearm flap are used to help rebuild the structures removed during excision of the cancer.
Survival rates for oral cancer depend on the precise site, and the stage of the cancer at diagnosis. Overall, survival is around 50% at five years when all stages of initial diagnosis are considered. Survival rates for stage 1 cancers are 90%, hence the emphasis on early detection to increase survival outcome for patients.
Following treatment, rehabilitation may be necessary to improve movement, chewing, swallowing, and speech. Speech therapists may be involved at this stage.
Chemotherapy is useful in oral cancers when used in combination with outher treatment modalities such a radiation therapy. It is seldmom used alone as a monotherapy. When cure is unlikely it can also be used to extend life and can be consider palliative but not curative care. Biological agents, such as Cetuximab have recently been shown to be effective in the treatment of squamous cell head and neck cancers, and are likely to have an increasing role in the future management of this condition when used in conjuction with other treatments.
Treatment of oral cancer will usually be by be a multidisciplinary team, with treatment professionals from the realms of radiation, surgery, chemotherapy, nutrition, dental professionals, and even psychology all possibly involved with diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and patient care.
Complications
- Postoperative disfigurement of the face, head and neck
- Complications of radiation therapy, including dry mouth and difficulty swallowing
- Other metastasis (spread) of the cancer
External links
- US oral/mouth cancer foundation, with survivor/patient interactive support group, and hundreds of pages of peer reviewed information
- NIH site on oral cancer
- Mouth Cancer Foundation information site and online support group in the UK
- a website with lots of information and photographs on mouth cancer especially in India
- Cancer Help UK
- Liverpool based centre with international reputation in the treatment of oral and oro-pharyngeal cancer
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