Management of oromandibular cancers

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Oncology
• Head and Neck Surgery

Background:

• Oral cavity cancers involving the mandible present complex management challenges.
• Effective treatment requires a coordinated effort across multiple surgical and oncological specialties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To underscore the significance of a multidisciplinary approach in treating oromandibular tumors.
• To evaluate the outcomes of integrated cancer care for mandible-involved oral cancers.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive study of 63 patients with biopsy-proven oromandibular tumors over six years.
• Inclusion criteria: malignant oral cavity tumors involving the mandible requiring resection and reconstruction.
• Methods involved histopathological assessment, surgical resection, various flap reconstructions, and adjuvant radiotherapy.

Main Results:

• Tumor-free resection margins achieved in 56 patients; 88% were Squamous cell carcinoma.
• Various free and myocutaneous flaps were used for reconstruction with low flap loss rates (1 total, 3 partial).
• One-year follow-up showed functional improvements in speech (37/56) and diet (15/56), with 33/56 achieving satisfactory contour restoration.

Conclusions:

• Multidisciplinary collaboration is essential for managing oral cavity cancers involving the mandible.
• Integrated care pathways lead to better functional and aesthetic outcomes.
• Effective management reduces morbidity and improves patient survival in these challenging cases.