Cancer Rehabilitation

Oral Cancer accounts for approximately 3% of all malignancies and is a significant worldwide health problem. Mostly oral malignancies occur as squamous cell carcinomas despite remarkable advances in treatment modalities, the 5-year survival rate has not significantly improved over the past several decades and still hovers at about 50-60%.Many of these develop from premalignant conditions of the oral cavity. A wide array of conditions have been implicated in the development of Oral Cancer, including leukoplakia, erythroplakia, palatal lesion of reverse cigar smoking, oral lichen planus, oral submucous fibrosis, discoid lupus erythematosus, and hereditary disorders such as dyskeratosis congenital and epidermolysis bullosa. Despite the general accessibility of the oral cavity during physical examination, many malignancies are not diagnosed until late stages of disease.

Here the interdisciplinary teams work together to improve the lives of Cancer survivors, by improving physical, psychological and social well-being, upgrading quality of life in patients treated for Oral Cancer.

Leukoplakia, Erythroplakia, Oral Submucous Fibrosis, Lichen planus.

Pre-treatment and Post-treatment Rehabilitation

Oral Mucositis, Loss of taste − Dysgeusia, Erythema, Xerostomia, Radiation Caries, Trismus, TMJ dysfunction, Muscle fibrosis, Osteo-Radionecrosis, Changes in oral flora − Candidal infections, Gingivitis.
Loss of anatomical structures including Teeth, Mandible, Maxilla, Tongue, Soft Palate, Alveolar Ridges, Sulci.
Altered oral anatomy such as loss of Lip competence, Altered Muscle insertions, Altered Muscle balance, Altered Tongue function Loss or Altered sensations: loss of proprioception, Trismus Scar tissue and bulky Flaps.
Mastication, Deglutition and speech. Inability to use dentures.
The detrimental physical and psychological effects caused by Oral Cancer and its treatment leading to poor quality of life..

Current rehabilitative practice is centered on five principles

The process of rehabilitation begins at the time of initial diagnosis and treatment planning
The dentition should be preserved if possible
Rehabilitative treatment plans should be based on fundamental principles of Prosthodontics including a philosophy of Preventive Dentistry and Conservative Restorative Dentistry
Surgery before prosthetic rehabilitation may be indicated to improve the existing anatomic configuration after ablative Cancer surgery, reconstructive surgery, and/or radiation therapy
Multidisciplinary Cancer care is required to achieve the optimal function

Rehabilitation Services

Speech and Swallowing

Speech and language therapy is beneficial in the rehabilitation of patients with head & neck Cancer. The use of an oral prosthesis improves both speech and swallowing in the patient completing treatment for HNC

Olfaction and Gustation

Pharmacological help limits radiation therapy-induced Xerostomia and Gustatory Dysfunction

Prosthodontic Oral Rehabilitation of the Oral Cancer patient :

Pain is a common complaint among patients with Cancer, especially patients with head & neck Cancer with the most significant impact on general well-being and psychosocial distress. Pharmacologic therapy, intervention for depression, and physical therapy helps patients. Coping methods are important in overcoming the psychologic impact of Cancer

Prosthodontic Oral Rehabilitation of the Oral Cancer patient :

The Prosthodontic needs of Oral Cancer patients include the rehabilitation of oral form and function that have been lost through treatment. Prosthodontic treatment options include; maintenance of a functional dental arch (shortened dental arch), fixed prostheses (bridgework), removable partial dentures (RPDs), Maxillary Obturators, implant-retained fixed or removable prostheses, and complete dentures. To accelerate oral rehabilitation, a treatment plan should be devised (with the patient’s support) as early as possible, and preferably before Cancer treatment. Patients should follow a Prosthodontic pathway similar to that given below. This shows patients moving through a pre-Cancer treatment oral rehabilitation assessment, primary interventions at the time of surgery, and secondary interventions after Cancer treatment

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