mplete the treatment plan prior to cancer therapy. In a recent study, Tsuji et al. (2015)[1] completed a prospective study of dental intervention for patients with hematopoietic malignancy, reporting that patients who completed the partial pre-cancer therapy protocol had significantly lower incidence of systemic (15.8% vs. 37.4%)

. Thirty five percent of the patients lost weight; 41% maintained their weight and 24% gained weight.

The most important factor for patients being able to eat a normal diet is no impairment in chewing and swallowing (Table 4). A negative correlation means that the more impairments patients have in chewing/swallowing the more unlikely it is

Nutritional counseling can be used to good effect here by providing calorie-enriched mashed or liquid food [20].

Patients with OTC treated with adjuvant RT are at significant risk for development of late toxicities

Nineteen primary studies were reviewed. High intensity interventions, targeting multiple behaviors, and/or using a multicomponent intervention that included pharmacotherapy, behavioral counseling, and social support were characteristics of the most successful treatments for tobacco dependence.

Eighty-eight percent of nurses wanted to help their patients but 92% identified that they needed additional training.

ores of 16+ indicated clinical depression. “Subsequent depression” was defined as a CES-D score of 16+, measured at the time of assessment several months after the diagnosis of oral cancer or OED.

Smoking tobacco and heavy alcohol use are associated with an increased risk of oral cancer, and at least 1 report has identified both smoking and drinking as risk factors for oral epithelial dysplasia (OED), a histopathologic diagnosis associated with an increased risk of oral cancer.

Because the relationship between depressive symptoms and both smoking and drinking among persons with oral cancer or precancer has received little previous attention,

speech and language therapy. Pathways for oral rehabilitation with input from hygienists, restorative dentists, dental implantologists, prosthetic technicians should also be considered.

Responsibility for the rehabilitation of voice, speech and swallowing rests with the whole multidisciplinary team (MDT), but is the specific role of the speech and language therapist within this team. Speech and language therapists should discuss their role and outline the need for the patient's active participation in therapy to maximise outcomes. The patient's family and carers are also involved in this rehabilitation. Within the MDT, the decision on an appropriate course of treatment should take into account the effects on functions such as voice, speech and swallowing as well as survival so as to suit each individual's preferences and lifestyle.

Pre-treatment counselling by AHP teams should be provided to advise on the anticipated effects of the cancer as well as subsequent treatments (chemoradiation, radiotherapy (RT), surgery and palliation).7

Predictive models show that informational support from friends is the variable that most increases patients’ general health, while emotional support from the partner is the one that best improves how patients cope with the disease

A number of psychological factors explain the delay of patients with advanced H&N cancer seeking medical care.

Patients who delay more than 3 months tend to be less optimistic, less committed or involved in health activities

n important threat to the overall well being of patients with H&N cancer is increased psychological distress.11, 12 The level of psychological morbidity in patients with this cancer has been studied.13, 14, 15 H&N cancer patients who have serious disease or who live alone were found to be more likely to suffer psychological distress (odds ratios of 5.77 and 4.83, respectively). The immediate impact of diagnosis and treatment is an important phase for detailed study.16

dy, we aim to provide further insights into the neck management strategy for T1-2N0 tongue cancer patients, and help improve treatment selection

The optimal management of node negative neck in tongue cancer has been debated extensively, especially for early stage tumors.[3,4,22] However, there is no consistent conclusion, and the management policies vary across different institutions

metastasis is the main risk factor of postoperative recurrence and may lead to a poor progno

The role of post-operative radiotherapy to the primary tumour site remains undetermined, although some evidence suggests that it reduces the risk of locoregional failure

END is associated with several complications such as nerve damage, seroma, and infections, which can be avoided by replacing END with ERTN.

However, as ERTN can be administered alongside postoperative radiotherapy to the primary tumour site, it will not prolong the total treatment, but instead give the opportunity to decide on the need for adjuvant treatment of the neck when the pathology report from the surgery of the primary tumour is available