Oral cancer is treated similarly to malignant diseases in other parts of the body. There are 3 main approaches to treatment:

Surgical treatment

The entire cancerous lesion is surgically removed along with a small area of ​​healthy surrounding tissue to ensure that all malignant cells have been removed. The purpose of the intervention is to remove all affected tissues without compromising the integrity of the structures in the other areas of the oral cavity.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses powerful X-rays to kill malignant cells. In the case of oral cancer, radiotherapy is usually used after surgery to prevent possible relapses. Generally, the procedure is performed daily for about six weeks, but this depends on the size of the tumor and the extent of its spread.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to destroy cancer cells. These drugs will affect the DNA structure of malignant cells, interrupting the possibility of multiplication. Chemotherapy can be combined with radiotherapy when malignancy is already prevalent or when there is an increased risk of relapse.

Most times, the treatment plan will be a combination of methods: the malignant tumor will be surgically removed, followed by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy treatment used to destroy the remaining malignant cells. In addition to completely removing cancerous tissues, treatment should also focus on two important aspects:

• Maintain or restore the aesthetic appearance of the mouth and face
• Restore important functions such as breathing, mastication, and talking

The good news is that, due to advances in the field, the chances of success are better now than ever. Moreover, if oral cancer is diagnosed in the initial stages, complete treatment is possible in up to 90% of cases using the surgical method only.