OralCDx - Treatment

Specific treatment for oral cancer will be determined by your physician based on your age, overall health, and medical history, extent of the disease, your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies, expectations for the course of the disease and your opinion or preference.

Surgical excision (removal) of the tumor is usually recommended if the tumor is small enough, and if surgery is likely to result in a functionally satisfactory result.
Different surgery techniques are used to remove specific types of oral tumors, including:

•	primary tumor resection - removal of the entire tumor and surrounding area of tissue
•	mandible resection -removal of all or part of the jawbone
•	maxillectomy - removal of the tumor, including part or all of the hard palate (roof of the mouth), if bone is involved
•	Mohs' micrographic surgery - removal of the tumor in "slices" to minimize amount of normal tissue removed (may be considered when the cancer involves the lip)
•	laryngectomy - removal of a large tumor of the tongue or oropharynx, which may involve removing the larynx (voice box)
•	neck dissection - if cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the neck, these lymph nodes may need to be removed as well

Radiation therapy is often used in conjunction with surgery, or as the definitive radical treatment, especially if the tumour is inoperable. Radiation therapy is very localized, aimed at only the area where the cancer is present. Radiation therapy may be administered externally with a machine, or internally with radioactive materials.

Chemotherapy is useful in oral cancers when used in combination with other treatment modalities such as radiation therapy.It is seldom used alone as a monotherapy.

When cure is unlikely it can also be used to extend life and can be considered palliative but not curative care.

Treatment of oral cancer is usually by a multidisciplinary team, with treatment professionals from the realms of radiation, surgery, chemotherapy, nutrition, dental professionals, and even psychology all possibly involved with diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and patient care.