[Reasons for the neglect of orofacial and alveolar malignancies]

In 1983 we treated 71 patients with orofacial and alveolar malignancies. In 25 cases the tumor had advanced beyond T2. An evaluation of their inpatient treatment data demonstrated that the lesion had been neglected by patient and physician. Our results clearly stress the need for information of the citizen and specialised postgraduate training of physicians and dentists about the early detection of orofacial malignancies.