The problem of head and neck cancer and its treatment

Abstract

The oral cancer is predominant in developing countries particularly in lower socioeconomic sectors Surgery radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the therapeutic modalities used in the treatment of head and neck cancer They can be used alone or together Radiation therapy causes lesions in normal tissues located in the radiation field The resulting oral sequelae can cause substantial problems during and after radiation therapy and are the major determining factors in patients quality of life The most serious and debilitating complications of radiotherapy are mucositis candidiasis and osteoradionecrosis