Oral management of the cancer patient. Part I: Overview of cancer and oral cancer.
An overview of cancer (and in particular oral cancer) is presented as well as statistical information on cancer incidence and mortality, etiology, treatment modalities, head and neck cancers, their signs and symptoms, prognosis, and pre-treatment dental evaluations are presented.
Abstract
As the population of older Canadians (50 + years) grows, so the number of people-diagnosed with some form of cancer increases. Through early detection, diagnosis, and advances in treatment of these cancers, the number of long-term survivors is also increasing. It is, therefore, predictable that the role of all health care providers will increase in the areas of diagnosis, treatment, and assistance with their continued care. In this first of a three part series, an overview of cancer (and in particular oral cancer) is presented as well as statistical information on cancer incidence and mortality, etiology, treatment modalities, head and neck cancers, their signs and symptoms, prognosis, and pre-treatment dental evaluations. The second installment will review the care and management of patients undergoing chemotherapy and the third will discuss the care and management of patients receiving radiation therapy for head and neck cancers. The series will focus specifically towards the oral implications impacting on dental hygiene services.