ROLE OF SURGERY AFTER NACT IN ORAL CAVITY CANCERS

Abstract

Primary tumors of the oral cavity may be derived from the mucosa, salivary glands, neurovascular tissues, bone and dental tissues. Over 90% of the tumors of the oral cavity are Squamous cell carcinoma arising from the mucosa. Oral cavity cancer is the 8th most common malignancy.1 Every year about 3,00,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer globally. Geographic variation is seen commonly with oral cavity malignancy, presenting as third most common malignancy in South East Asia region.2
In India age-adjusted rates of oral cancer are high, that is 20 per 1,00,000 population and accounts for over 30% of all cancers in the country. Annually almost 80,000 cases are being diagnosed. In adult population mean age of occurrence is around 55 years. It
ranks among top three cancers in the country.3 Oral cancer is of significant health importance in India. Firstly, it is diagnosed at later stages which result in low treatment out comes and considerable costs to the patients whom typically cannot afford this type of treatment. Secondly, rural areas also have inadequate access to trained providers and limited health services. As a result, delay has also been largely associated with advanced stages of oral cancer.