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Oral healthcare in people living with cancer
Oral Oncology 46 (2010) 401
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Oral Oncology journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/oraloncology
Editorial
Oral healthcare in people living with cancer This issue of Oral Oncology is based on a meeting on oral healthcare in people living with cancer, held in London in June 2010 to enhance awareness throughout the healthcare team of the importance of early detection of orofacial signs and symptoms of cancers, and of cancer prevention. The World Health Organization (WHO), other agencies and research workers have produced a considerable amount of epidemiological data showing that oral cancer is increasing, and in younger patients. Tobacco, alcohol and betel remain the main risk factors but the role of human papillomaviruses (HPV) in oropharyngeal cancer in particular is increasingly recognized, as is the beneficial effect of diets rich in fruit and vegetables. Prevention is crucial if there is to be any serious progress. Early detection and treatment should reduce mortality rate and morbidity from cancers and their treatment. The role of multidisciTable 1 Challenges that may be faced by the patient with cancer. Many patients
Complications from radiotherapy
Complications from surgery
Pain Anxiety and other psychological distress
Disturbed taste, mastication, swallowing and speech Mucositis Dry mouth Osteonecrosis Trismus Dermatitis Scarring Hearing loss Laryngeal cartilage necrosis
Disturbed sensation, mastication, swallowing and speech Scarring Deformity Air embolus Pneumothorax Carotid blow-out Chyle leakage Salivary leakage Nerve damage
1368-8375/$ - see front matter Ó 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.oraloncology.2010.02.020
plinary teams in cancer detection and management is established. Medical, surgical and technological management advances have improved the quality of life – though the 5 year overall survival of the disease has advanced little at most treatment centres. The basic treatment modalities remain as surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy and treatment improvements are largely directed towards targeted therapy and reducing the complications, which remain a major issue. Patients with cancer may thus be faced with a range of untoward symptoms, from pain and anxiety, to dry mouth, and disturbed taste, eating, swallowing and speech (Table 1). The importance of minimization of adverse effects from treatments, and of good support for the oral cancer patient and their family is paramount, and is a major focus of this issue of the journal. Conflicts of interest statement None declared. Crispian Scully UCL-Eastman, 256 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8LD, UK Tel.: +44 207 915 1170; fax: +44 207 915 1232 E-mail address: [email protected] Available online 29 March 2010
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Oral Oncology journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/oraloncology
Editorial
Oral healthcare in people living with cancer This issue of Oral Oncology is based on a meeting on oral healthcare in people living with cancer, held in London in June 2010 to enhance awareness throughout the healthcare team of the importance of early detection of orofacial signs and symptoms of cancers, and of cancer prevention. The World Health Organization (WHO), other agencies and research workers have produced a considerable amount of epidemiological data showing that oral cancer is increasing, and in younger patients. Tobacco, alcohol and betel remain the main risk factors but the role of human papillomaviruses (HPV) in oropharyngeal cancer in particular is increasingly recognized, as is the beneficial effect of diets rich in fruit and vegetables. Prevention is crucial if there is to be any serious progress. Early detection and treatment should reduce mortality rate and morbidity from cancers and their treatment. The role of multidisciTable 1 Challenges that may be faced by the patient with cancer. Many patients
Complications from radiotherapy
Complications from surgery
Pain Anxiety and other psychological distress
Disturbed taste, mastication, swallowing and speech Mucositis Dry mouth Osteonecrosis Trismus Dermatitis Scarring Hearing loss Laryngeal cartilage necrosis
Disturbed sensation, mastication, swallowing and speech Scarring Deformity Air embolus Pneumothorax Carotid blow-out Chyle leakage Salivary leakage Nerve damage
1368-8375/$ - see front matter Ó 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.oraloncology.2010.02.020
plinary teams in cancer detection and management is established. Medical, surgical and technological management advances have improved the quality of life – though the 5 year overall survival of the disease has advanced little at most treatment centres. The basic treatment modalities remain as surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy and treatment improvements are largely directed towards targeted therapy and reducing the complications, which remain a major issue. Patients with cancer may thus be faced with a range of untoward symptoms, from pain and anxiety, to dry mouth, and disturbed taste, eating, swallowing and speech (Table 1). The importance of minimization of adverse effects from treatments, and of good support for the oral cancer patient and their family is paramount, and is a major focus of this issue of the journal. Conflicts of interest statement None declared. Crispian Scully UCL-Eastman, 256 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8LD, UK Tel.: +44 207 915 1170; fax: +44 207 915 1232 E-mail address: [email protected] Available online 29 March 2010