The term oral cavity cancer OSCC constitutes cancers of the mucosal surfaces of the lips, floor of mouth, oral tongue, buccal mucosa, lower and upper gingiva, hard palate and retromolar trigone. The selection of sole or combined modality is based on various considerations that include disease control probability, the anticipated functional and cosmetic outcomes, tumor resectability, patient general condition, and availability of resources and expertise. In general, the latter is more commonly reserved for cases where surgery may be problematic. On the other hand, brachytherapy may be considered as a sole modality for early small primary tumor. Brachytherapy can also be especially useful in the re-irradiation setting for persistent or recurrent disease or for a second primary arising within a previous radiation field. Biological agents targeting the epithelial growth factor receptor EGFR have emerged as a potential moda-lity in combination with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherpy and are currently under evaluation in clinical trials.
Introduction
Types of chemotherapy
The standard of care treatment for oral squamous cell carcinoma OSCC at present, consist of surgical resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy as indicated. Despite recent advances the overall prognosis remains guarded. Role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy is being explored with premise of reducing extent of surgical resection, improving loco-regional control and decreasing distant metastasis, thereby improving treatment outcomes by decreasing mortality and morbidity. However, indications of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in oral cancers are not clearly defined. Majority of studies have failed to demonstrate a significant benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in terms of loco regional control and overall survival in resectable OSCC. In a select subset of patients with locally very advanced and unresectable OSCC, neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been shown to cause tumor shrinkage and improve resectability. These hypothesis generating findings of reduction in distant metastasis, improved resectability and functional outcome, however need further validation. In summary, the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for OSCC remains investigational and has a limited role outside clinical trial. Kademani D.
Oral cancer treatments
In the battle against cancer, one of the main technologies used for treatment is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is the use of chemicals to destroy cancer cells. It is one of the three main methods utilized to treat cancer. Radiation therapy and surgery are also employed; both of which may be used in conjunction with chemotherapy. What makes chemotherapy very effective, is that it has the ability to treat widespread metastatic cancer, that is in more than one location in your body. When these three treatments are used in conjunction, their complimentary avenues of attacking the disease frequently offer the patient the best chance to beat cancer. There are many different types of drugs that qualify as chemotherapy agents, and the drug that is chosen is dependent on what type of cancer will be treated. The drugs are classified into five major categories based on the way the drugs affect cell chemistry, and which stage of the cells life cycle the drugs effect. To understand chemotherapy, the cell cycle must first be understood.
So they can treat cancer cells almost anywhere in the body. This is known as systemic treatment. This is called neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
