ORAL cancers are part of a group of cancers commonly referred to as head and neck cancers, and of all head and neck cancers, oral cancers comprise about 85 per cent of that category. Often, oral cancer is only discovered when the cancer has metastasized to another location, most likely the lymph nodes of the neck.

Prognosis at this stage of discovery is significantly worse than when it is caught in a localised inner area of the mouth.

After a definitive diagnosis has been made and the cancer has been staged, treatment may begin. Treatment of oral cancer is ideally a multi-disciplinary approach. The treatment team would involve the efforts of surgeons, radiation oncologists, chemotherapy oncologists, dental practitioners, nutritionists, and rehabilitation and restorative specialists.

Curative treatments

The actual curative treatments are usually surgery and radiation. Chemotherapy would also be used to decrease the possibility of metastasis (the development of secondary malignant growths at a distance from a primary site of cancer). Whether a patient has surgery, radiation and surgery, or radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy, is dependent on the stage of development of the cancer. Each case is considered on an individual basis.

Patients with cancers treated in their early stages, may have little in the way of post treatment disfigurement. For those whose cancer is caught at a later stage, the results of surgical removal of the disease may require reconstruction of portions of their oral cavity or facial features. There may be adjunctive therapy required to assist in speech, chewing and swallowing of foods, the problems associated with the lack of salivary function, as well as the fabrication of dental or facial prostheses.

Quality of life

The quality of life for both those who achieve remission and those who may live for a period of time with persistent tumour is a major concern. Alterations in saliva or taste, significant pain, oral and dental infections, mucosal and bone necrosis, and difficulties with chewing, swallowing, and speech may severely depress patients and often reduce their quality of life to an unacceptable level.

Rehabilitation is critically important and should be considered at the time of treatment planning.

Early diagnosis combined with adequate treatment will continue to be critical for reducing the morbidity and mortality associated this disease. At the same time, clinical research continues in the use of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy to improve survival rates.

Dealing with oral cancer and how it affects family in addition to the patient, as well as the oral cancer’s effects, both during and after treatment, can be very difficult and its prevention is paramount.

At the Dental Place Cosmetix Spa, we perform oral cancer screenings on all our patients and will continue to provide free oral cancer screenings for the month of April.

Dr Sharon Robinson DDS has offices at the Dental Place Cosmetix Spa located at Shop #5, Winchester Business Centre, 15 Hope Road, Kingston 10. She is an adjunct lecturer at the University of Technology, Jamaica School of Oral Health Sciences. Dr Robinson may be contacted at 630-4710.