Current Treatment Strategies and Risk Stratification for Oral Carcinoma

Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book. 2023 May:43:e389810. doi: 10.1200/EDBK_389810.

Abstract

Management of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) involves a multidisciplinary team approach. Surgery is ideally the primary treatment option for nonmetastatic OSCC, and less invasive curative surgical approaches are preferred in early-stage disease to minimize surgical-related morbidity. For patients at high risk of recurrence, adjuvant treatment using radiation therapy or chemoradiation is often used. Systemic therapy may also be used in the neoadjuvant setting (for advanced-stage disease with the intent of mandibular preservation) or in the palliative setting (for nonsalvageable locoregional recurrence and/or distant metastases). Patient involvement in treatment decision is the key for patient-driven management, particularly in clinical situation with poor prognosis, for example, early postoperative recurrence before planned adjuvant therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / therapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Humans
  • Mouth Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Mouth Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Mouth Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment