Hair transplantation and micrografting for the oral and maxillofacial surgeon

Abstract

ciated with an improved survival and better quality of life. The specter of “cancer” is an emotional upheaval in a patient’s life and approaches to the patient with a potentially malignant lesion need to be carefully thought out. Developing strategies for managing this situation enhances patient care, and provides a pathway for guiding the patient through the maze of the health care system targeted to cancer patients. This lecture will cover the current statistics regarding oral cancer incidence, mortality, and trends. When suspicious lesions are detected, a strategy will be outlined to include pre-biopsy counseling, biopsy techniques (including the role for incisional biopsy and brush biopsy), communication biopsy results, psychological responses to a cancer diagnosis, dealing with negative or equivocal results, managing pre-malignant lesions, and recommendations for follow-up. Following a confirmed diagnosis, the role of staging, appropriate test ordering and referral will be covered with an emphasis on current treatment schemes for the variations of oral cancer. The management of these cancers, including the major modalities and management of the neck will be discussed. Oral rehabilitation of the oral cancer patient will be covered including immediate reconstruction of defects, prostheses, and restorative options. The OMS has expertise in these areas that can be critical to quality of life for oral cancer patients. Many patients, especially those with more advanced disease will be treated with multimodality therapy radiation therapy and the role of adjunctive treatments such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy in managing problems in the irradiated jaws will be covered. Once treated for oral cancer the patient will require surveillance not only for recurrence or persistence of disease, but also for the sequelae of treatment that includes mucositis, xerostomia, osteoradionecrosis, radiation caries, speech and swallowing problems, and other maladies. Current literature regarding the use of endosseous implants in these patients will be covered. The comprehensive care of oral cancer patients involves many areas that OMS’ have a significant role to contribute. Knowledge of these areas enhances that care that we give to this special population of patients.