Surgeons of oral cancer and leaders of a young specialty: The role of 3 oral and maxillofacial surgeons

Abstract

The treatment of oral and related cancer has evolved greatly since the early part of the 20th century. Today, some oral and maxillofacial surgeons include oral cancer surgery as a normal part of their practice. This article will discuss 3 pioneers, Elmer C. Hume, Fred Henny, and Claude La Dow, who shared a career-long commitment to oral cancer surgery, trained future leaders of the specialty, and retained their professional identity within dentistry and oral surgery. Their lives and contributions are profiled within the context of the political climate of oral surgery at the time. Oral cancer surgery within the discipline of oral and maxillofacial surgery declined later in the 20th century as this activity increased among head and neck surgeons based in general surgery and later, otolaryngology. Simultaneously, the interest of American oral surgeons was drawn toward orthognathic surgery and the landmark presentation by Hugo Obwegeser at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in June 1966 signaled the beginning of a shift in the focus of the specialty. The close of the 20th century has witnessed a renaissance of interest in oral cancer surgery within American oral and maxillofacial surgery. © 2002 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons J Oral Maxillofac Surg 60:86-92, 2002