Staging and Outcome of Oral Cavity Cancer: Reconstruction, Recurrent Disease, and Specific Treatment Considerations

Specific considerations must be made in the treatment course of oral cavity carcinoma (OCC). Given the role of oral cavity in important functions such as speaking, eating, and esthetics, the choice of the optimal reconstructive option is of utmost importance. For small residual defects local flaps provide an acceptable solution, while for larger defects the adoption of the more complex revascularized free flaps is considered the gold standard. Another challenge is the management of recurrent OCC, which is characterized by a dismal prognosis. In this case, surgery is the first treatment option, when feasible, sometimes integrated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy.