Oral cancer: Early detection, diagnosis and treatment complications

This course will overview tips of early oral cancer recognition and referral decision guides. Multidisciplinary management of oral cancer as well as treatment related oral complications will be discussed in the evidence-based manner. Learn the significance of oral cancer, its prevalence and overall survival. Identify the most common risk factors for oral cancer. Describe the most common clinical presentations of oral cancer. Discuss treatment strategies. Discuss most common complications of oral cancer treatment.

Learning Objectives

400,000 to 500,000 new cases world wide of oral cancer are diagnosed and causes about 150,000 deaths per year. More than 60 percent of the patients are diagnosed with late stage (III or IV stage) disease, therefore, 5-year overall survival rate is as low as 50 percent. Stage I-II may have excellent cure rates with minor surgery and few functional sequelae, highlighting the necessity for early diagnosis and heightened awareness in dentists.